Any hopes for a quick comeback to the pitching mound for the current American League Cy Young Award champion Gerrit Cole were shattered on Thursday as the New York Yankees shifted the right-handed pitcher to the 60-day injured list because of elbow inflammation.
Cole announced on March 16 that he would refrain from throwing for three to four weeks in an attempt to recover from his troubled throwing elbow. He informed the media that nerve irritation and edema were the cause of his issues, with the remedy being rest and recuperation.
On Thursday morning, the Yankees solidified their Opening Day roster by also placing right-handers Tommy Kahnle (suffering from right shoulder inflammation) and McKinley Moore (dealing with right knee bursitis) on the 15-day IL, and infielders DJ LeMahieu (suffering from a right foot contusion) and Oswald Peraza (struggling with a right shoulder strain) on the 10-day IL. All four placements were retroactive to Monday.
New York introduced newly acquired infielder Jon Berti to the active roster, called up right-hander Luis Gil from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and inked a major league deal with right-hander Nick Burdi and added him to the roster.
The 33-year-old Cole only appeared twice this spring, once in a Grapefruit League match on March 1 and then in a practice game six days later. Following that, he was immediately shut down and underwent medical examinations.
Cole has been one of the most resilient pitchers in the major leagues, starting in no less than 30 games every season since 2017, except during the shortened 2020 season due to the pandemic.
Last season, Cole achieved a record of 15-4, leading the AL in ERA (2.63) and innings pitched (209). He recorded 222 strikeouts and 48 walks.
The Yankees are commencing the 2024 season versus the Houston Astros. Nestor Cortes will take the start for the Yankees facing Framber Valdez in a clash of southpaw pitchers.
Source: www.espn.com