New York Yankees ace to undergo Tommy John surgery, miss 2025 season

The New York Yankees' starting rotation took a big blow before the 2025 season even began.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole leaves the game during the fifth inning in Game 2 of the baseball AL Championship Series against the Cleveland Guardians Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Godofredo Vásquez)AP

Gerrit Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, the team announced. The right-hander will miss the upcoming season.

Cole, the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner, finished Thursday’s spring training start after 2⅔ innings, six runs and five hits. The ace told reporters he felt fine during the outing, but had elbow soreness afterward.

The 34-year-old missed the start of the 2024 campaign due to nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He finished the season with an 8-5 record and 3.41 ERA in 17 starts.

The injury to Cole is just the latest blow to the Yankees. Last year’s AL Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil, is dealing with a lat strain that will keep him out until at least June, while D.J. LeMahieu has a left calf strain.