TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole won’t throw for three to four weeks because of nerve irritation and edema in his throwing elbow.
Cole, 33, discussed his injury before Saturday’s game with Toronto.
“I think we determined that we just got a little too hot a little too quick this spring.” Cole said.
Cole said he’s not scheduled for any platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, but will be on a plyometric program to keep the elbow in shape, though an exact timetable for his return is still unclear.
“Just rest and recovery,” Cole added. “… Three to four weeks no throw, and we’ll go from there.”
He likely will need a spring training-like period after he resumes throwing to be ready to rejoin the team.
The Yankees disclosed Monday that the American League Cy Young Award winner was experiencing issues bouncing back following spring training starts, and the right-hander traveled to Los Angeles to be examined by Dodgers team physician Neal ElAttrache, an elbow expert.
Cole returned to Tampa on Friday.
Nestor Cortes will start the March 28 opener at Houston in place of Cole.
Cole is entering the fifth season of a nine-year, $324 million contract that pays $36 million annually. He has the right to opt out after the season and become a free agent, but if he does, the Yankees can void the opt-out by adding a guaranteed $36 million salary for 2029.
Information from the Associated Press and Field Level Media was used in this report.
