Gerrit Cole undergoing Tommy John surgery as Yankees injury nightmare becomes reality

TAMPA — The dreaded has become the reality.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees from spring training Gerrit Cole will not throw a pitch in 2025 for a Yankees team that has been dealt a monumental blow.

The ace received the news that was feared: He will need Tommy John surgery.The Yankees announced the determination Monday, after Cole flew to Los Angeles to receive a second opinion from surgeon Dr.Neal ElAttrache.

ElAttrache will perform the surgery Tuesday. Last year, Cole made it one Grapefruit League start before his elbow barked, resulting in a diagnosis of elbow nerve inflammation and edema. This year, Cole lasted two spring starts before the same elbow grew “alarming,” Cole said.The righty was knocked around in an outing Thursday, felt the hinge grow progressively sore and knew “something wasn’t right.”After his opt-out saga this winter, Cole is owed $144 million for the final four years of his contract, one of which is already finished.

When he returns, Cole will be 35 and hoping to be the same pitcher on the other side of the operating table. More to come on this developing story....