MLB Rumors: Yankees' Gerrit Cole out 1-2 Months with Elbow Injury, Will See Surgeon

It appears the New York Yankees will be without ace Gerrit Cole to begin the 2024 season.

Cole will be sidelined for one to two months with an elbow injury and is set to fly to Los Angeles to meet with esteemed sports surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, according to Mark W. Sanchez and Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

While initial scans of Cole's elbow did not reveal a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, ElAttrache suggested he be seen in person, Sanchez and Heyman added.

The "hope and belief is that Cole has a chance to return sometime in May or early June," according to Sanchez and Heyman.

The initial belief is that Cole's injury can be healed through "rest and other conservative treatments," according to Sanchez and Heyman. However, ElAttrache has recommended he undergo further testing.

Concern about Cole's elbow began when he informed the team that he was experiencing recovery issues and difficulty bouncing back between starts. He tossed two innings and 39 pitches on March 1 but hasn't appeared in a game since.

"All of the strength testing they do has been good," manager Aaron Boone told reporters Monday. "His stuff and his command has been really good in his outings. He's just having a hard time getting that fifth or sixth day. He's not recovering like he's accustomed to."

Cole has long been lauded for his durability, and a minor hamstring ailment is the only injury he had dealt with since signing a nine-year, $324 million contract with the Yankees ahead of the 2020 campaign.

Losing Cole for any amount of time is devastating for the Yankees, who are aiming to contend for a postseason spot in 2024 after finishing the 2023 campaign with an 82-80 record—their worst finish in three decades—and missing the playoffs.

The 33-year-old's injury could push the Yankees to add another pitcher in free agency or via trade before the 2024 campaign begins.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Tuesday that the Yankees had made a new proposal to the Chicago White Sox for right-hander Dylan Cease. Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and reigning World Series champion Jordan Montgomery also remain free agents.

After trading the likes of Michael King, Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez in the Juan Soto deal this winter, the Yankees are set to enter the season with Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt atop their rotation.

It's unclear who will get the starting nod for Opening Day on March 28 against the Houston Astros on the road.