Despite Gerrit Cole's departure, New York's primary focus no longer centers on pitching.
Hey there! Let's dive into the latest news surrounding the New York Yankees, who are currently stuck in a bit of a injury-ridden rut. The excitement from Spring Training has worn off, and all 30 teams are focusing on one thing: staying healthy. However, it seems like the Yankees have drawn the unfortunate short straw.
This year, the Yankees are vying for the unwanted title of the most injury-prone team, with the New York Yankees' star slugger, Giancarlo Stanton, leading the charge. Stanton's started the year on the injured list due to torn tendons in both elbows. Predictably, Stanton, who has averaged just 107 games per season during his tenure in the Bronx, will likely miss some regular games. But don't count him out during the postseason – history has shown that his impact is significant there[1][2].
DJ LeMahieu is the other question mark with regard to availability for Opening Day, given that he's dealing with a left calf strain. With LeMahieu's subpar performance last season, the Yankees have prioritized youth and defensive soundness for the third base role[3].
But it's not only the position players that are causing concern. There have been a plethora of injuries within the pitching staff, affecting relievers like Scott Effross, Jake Cousins, Tyler Matzek, and Jonathan Loaisiga, plus rotation depth with JT Brubaker and Clayton Beeter out[1].
The most devastating blow, however, is the injury to the reigning AL Rookie of the Year, Luis Gil. Gil has a right lateral strain and will be sidelined for at least six weeks. That timeline puts his potential return in June[1].
Adding salt to the wound, the Yankees were actively shopping for another offensive weapon in exchange for Marcus Stroman, who was without a spot in the rotation just one season after signing his 2-year, $37 million contract with New York in 2024. But before they could make a deal, Stroman joined the growing list of the Yankees' injured[1].
Perhaps the biggest upset of all is the injury to their ace, Gerrit Cole. Cole was forced to sit out the first half of the 2024 season due to issues with his elbow. Despite coming back for the second half, finishing with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts and a 2.17 ERA in five postseason starts, his elbow issues persisted[4]. Cole will now undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery[2].
The loss of Cole is a significant blow for the Yankees, considering his impressive 3.12 ERA in five seasons in the Bronx and his consistent success in the postseason. Without Cole, the Yankees will be losing both elite production and a substantial number of innings pitched[4].
Despite these setbacks, the Yankees seem to have faith in their ability to cultivate talent internally and fill the gaps in the pitching staff when injuries occur. Over the past few years, the team has shown an ability to develop minor league pitchers and maintain decent metrics[5].
With the outstanding performances from rookies Jhony Brito and Michael King in the past, the Yankees have options to draw from in case of emergency[1][3].
In light of these injuries, it's uncertain whether the loss of Cole will change the team's focus for the upcoming season. Rather than signing another premier starting pitcher, the Yankees are likely to channel their remaining budget towards acquiring a third baseman or corner outfielder[5].
[1] https://www.sport Bible.com/mlb/yankees/yankees-news-latest-giancarlo-stanton-dj-lemahieu-gerrit-cole-injuries-patrick-sabolewski-2103150707
[2] https://www.mlb.com/news/yЭankees-gerrit-cole-to-undergo-tommy-john-surgery/c-362883844
[3] https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2025/03/12/new-york-yankees-third-base-competition-dj-lemahieu-oswaldo-cabrera-oswald-peraza/70128549007/
[4] https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/36804259/yankees-lincoln-melamed-advance-katie-stuart-wu-trial-talks-gerrit-cole-lawsuit
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/Yankees/comments/zyjndb/yankees_pitching_prospects/
After enduring a string of injuries, especially to star players like Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole, the New York Yankees are keeping a close eye on their metrics as they undergo the resolution of these setbacks. Despite losing their ace, Cole, who will be out for the season due to Tommy John surgery, the Yankees remain optimistic about their internal talent, citing successful performances from rookies such as Jhony Brito and Michael King in the past. In lieu of acquiring another premier starting pitcher, the team may focus on bolstering their offense with a third baseman or corner outfielder.
