New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole will not throw for three to four weeks in an effort to heal his ailing throwing elbow, with the staff ace telling reporters Saturday that nerve irritation and edema are the source of the problem.
“I think we determined that we just got a little too hot a little too quick this spring.” Cole said ahead of the team’s spring training game Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Cole said he’s not scheduled for any PRP injections and will be doing plyometrics exercises to keep the elbow in shape, with an exact timetable for a return still pending.
“Just rest and recovery,” Cole said. “… Three to four weeks no throw, and we’ll go from there.”
Cole, 33, went to see orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Thursday in Los Angeles, and the examination reportedly produced a recommendation of non-surgical treatment.
According to multiple reports earlier in the week, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner was scheduled to be back in action in an estimated 10-12 weeks.
Cole pitched just twice this spring, once in a Grapefruit League game on March 1 and then in a simulated game six days later. He subsequently was shut down and underwent initial tests that led to the visit to Los Angeles.
The UCLA product has been one of the majors leagues’ most durable pitchers, making at least 30 starts in every season since 2017 except for the strike-shortened 2020 campaign.
Cole is coming off a season in which he went 15-4 while leading the AL in ERA (2.63) and innings pitched (209). He struck out 222 and walked 48.
The six-time All-Star is entering his fifth season with New York after previously pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates (2013-17) and the Houston Astros (2018-19).
In 300 career major league starts, Cole has a 145-75 record with a 3.17 ERA, 2,152 strikeouts and 471 walks in 1,859 innings.
