One key player’s uncertain health could be the difference between the Yankees’ chances of making it back to the postseason.

Pitcher Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees is certain he can recover from his injury this season, but reports from other MLB teams are skeptical.

After a poor 2023 season, the New York Yankees are hoping to make the playoffs again,

but their chances may depend on the health of one key player.

Franchise star Gerrit Cole was out due to injury after neglecting his recovery in between preseason games.

The Yankees are hopeful that Cole can heal without surgery and get back on the mound early in the upcoming season,

but ESPN MLB insider Buster Olney indicated that Cole is still likely to need a season-ending procedure after talking to sources from other teams who have had pitchers deal with similar injuries.

On the “ESPN Baseball Tonight” podcast, Olney stated,

“I’ve asked folks with other teams who don’t have access to Gerrit Cole’s medical information,

but they’ve seen this play out, and they know about… treatments and how players are dealt with and the language of these situations.”

And everyone I questioned said, ‘Oh, he’s going to surgery for Tommy John.’ As if they are really certain, okay?

Again, they are aware of the trajectory of pitchers with similar circumstances even though they haven’t examined a medical report.

Pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery often take between 12 and 18 months.
If Gerrit Cole were to return this season, h

e would be the greatest player in Yankee history.

Entering his fifth season of a nine-year, $324 million deal with the Yankees, Cole is a pitcher known for his durability.

Throughout his 11-year career, he has thrown at least 117 innings in every season save for 2020,

when he only pitched 73 but still led MLB in complete games.

That may be the reason the team believes he can get over his elbow soreness rather quickly.

The New York Post stated following Cole’s evaluation by a doctor that “the initial recommendation for Cole’s troublesome right elbow is rest,

rehab and some conservative, non-surgical treatments.”

“It’s estimated that he will be absent for one to two months, or maybe even longer.”

Cole has been unable to throw for a few weeks, and once the rehabilitation phase of his recuperation starts,

a more precise timetable may be established.

In the unlikely event that Cole fulfills this best-case scenario,

his renowned durability will soar to unprecedented heights at the age of 33.

“A small group of players have a history of resting, getting (platelet-rich plasma) PRP injections,

rehabbing their elbow injuries, and never, like, having surgery,” according to Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Mintz.

“Now, is there a possibility Gerrit Cole is doing well?

Yes, it is most certainly a possibility. However, I’m still dubious.

The New York Yankees will have a difficult road to the playoffs without Gerrit Cole.

The Yankees’ path to the postseason will be considerably more difficult if Cole is unable to return to the mound this year.

Their rotation is thin, even with the addition of experienced free agent Marcus Stroman this offseason; the squad will be depending on Carlos Rodón,

Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt to step up to a surprising level.

Paul Hembekides of ESPN Radio stated on the “Baseball Tonight” show,

“I feel that this team has been overvalued in the marketplace and is one that’s likelier to miss the playoffs entirely than win the pennant.”

Their apocalyptic vision is quite simple.

Naturally, it all began with Gerrit Cole’s tardiness or ineffective comeback.

I could see a scenario in which the Yankees once again finish last in their division and chaos breaks out in the Bronx.

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