MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole's (elbow) UCL surgery included internal bracing, according to the team, which can reduce inflammation and speed up the recovery time. It means that Cole is closer to a 12-month recovery than if he had the traditional Tommy John surgery. Cole will still miss the entire 2025 season, but the internal-brace procedure means that he could have a chance to be ready right around the start of the 2026 season, depending on how he fares during his rehab. Fantasy managers that already drafted the 34-year-old former American League Cy Young winner in single-year leagues can dump him now that he's officially out for the year. The Yankees are also going to be without starter Luis Gil (lat) to begin the year, which means that both veteran Marcus Stroman and pitching prospect Will Warren figure to open the year in the starting rotation.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) is set to undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn right ulnar collateral ligament. He will miss the entire 2025 season. The 34-year-old underwent testing on his right elbow over the weekend. He went for a second opinion earlier on Monday. In addition to missing the entire 2025 campaign, the 34-year-old could also be in danger of missing a significant portion of the 2026 season as well. Last season, Cole missed time due to elbow inflammation but was able to log 95 innings with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He tallied 99 punchouts and held a 7.4 percent walk rate. He generated a modest 3.61 xERA with a .226 xBA. In addition to Cole, right-handed pitcher Luis Gil (lat) is set to miss at least three months of action. This will open the door for Marcus Stroman to have a permanent spot in the rotation and potentially prospect Will Warren to open the season as the No. 5 option.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) is in Los Angeles on Monday to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache, according to manager Aaron Boone. Cole is seeking a second opinion after it was reported on Sunday evening that he has been recommended to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. While nothing is official yet, the 34-year-old former American League Cy Young winner should be avoided in fantasy formats with the distinct possibility that he won't be pitching at all in 2025. Even if Cole likes what ElAttrache says on Monday and he decides to go with a non-surgical route, he is going to be out for the foreseeable future and will probably require TJ surgery eventually. We'll have more information on Cole when it becomes available, but things are looking grim for the Yankees' ace right now.

The ominous "concern" surrounding New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole's throwing elbow received some devastating clarity on Sunday when it was reported that the veteran has been recommended to undergo Tommy John surgery. The six-time All-Star is still awaiting a second opinion, but GM Brian Cashman had already stated they were preparing for the worst. It would be a big blow to the Yankees' hopes of making another World Series run and for any fantasy managers who already drafted the former Cy Young winner. When one door closes, another one opens, though, and New York's fifth-overall prospect Will Warren could nab a rotation spot in the absence of Cole. Warren has been impressive this spring, allowing just one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out 11 in eight innings of work. Keep an eye out for the results of Cole's second opinion, but for now, it looks like he should be avoided in drafts, while Warren could be a worthwhile flier in later rounds.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) is "concerned" about the status of his throwing elbow. However, the right-hander is seeking second opinions and that he has "some hope." Cole underwent testing on his throwing elbow on Friday evening. Cole dealt with inflammation in this throwing elbow last season, which kept him sidelined for almost the entire first half. As a result, it appears Cole and the Yankees are preparing for the worst-case scenario as Cole may need to miss time in the regular season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as a second option could provide clarity on his injury. When he returned to action last season, the 34-year-old held a 3.41 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP across 95 innings. He tallied 99 punchouts and held a solid 7.4 percent walk rate. If Cole were to miss time, this could open the door for prospect Will Warren to begin the season in the major leagues.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) is undergoing diagnostic tests on his throwing elbow. The team is expected to learn more information on his status in the coming days. In his most recent spring training contest, Cole allowed six earned runs across two 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old missed almost the entire first half of the 2024 season due to right elbow inflammation. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but another elbow injury could put him in danger of missing time. When he returned to action last season, Cole logged 95 innings with a 3.41 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP. He tallied 99 punchouts and held a solid 7.4 percent walk rate. However, he generated a low 38.3 percent ground-ball rate with a modest 39.5 percent hard-hit rate. The Yankees could be without another starting pitcher to open the campaign as Luis Gil (lat) is set to miss three months of action. As a result, Marcus Stroman will likely start the season in the rotation. If Cole were to miss time as well, prospect Will Warren could emerge as a potential starting candidate.

The New York Yankees and right-hander Gerrit Cole agreed on Monday to add a fifth year and $36 million after Cole opted out of his four-year, $144 million contract over the weekend. With the Yankees essentially voiding Cole's opt-out decision, the 34-year-old will now be owed $180 million through the 2029 season. The former first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of UCLA won the American League Cy Young award in 2023 but had the start of his 2024 campaign delayed by right-elbow issues. Cole finished with an 8-5 record, 3.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 99:29 K:BB in 95 innings over his 17 regular-season starts. Although he looked good in the playoffs, Cole has had a concerning trend of his strikeout rate falling for the third straight year to 25.4% in 2024. Still, as long as he's healthy heading into the start of next season, he should be a No. 1 fantasy starter.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole exercised his player option and opted out of his contract with New York on Saturday. The move had been expected and shouldn't be considered a shock by any means. The Yankees have the option to void his opt out by adding one year and $36 million to the remaining four years and $144 million Cole has on his contract. If the Yankees do not void the opt out then Cole will become a free agent. The Yankees' ace originally signed a nine year, $324 million contract in 2020 and posted a 3.12 ERA in 759 innings as a Yankee. If he hits the open market the 34-year-old will likely be the top pitcher available. Dynasty managers shouldn't stress much about Cole's future as the former Cy Young award winner is likely to continue to produce regardless of where he ends up.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Gerrit Cole will start Game 1 of the World Series on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Cole is expected to be followed in the rotation by left-hander Carlos Rodon in Game 2 on Saturday, right-hander Clarke Schmidt in Game 3 on Monday in the Bronx and right-hander Luis Gil in Game 4 on Tuesday. Cole, who got a late start in 2024 due to an injury and made only 17 starts during the regular season, has allowed seven runs (six earned) on 19 hits (one homer) while walking six and striking out 12 in three playoff starts (16 1/3 innings) this October. The 2023 American League Cy Young winner hasn't been all that dominant in the postseason this year and will face one of the best offenses in baseball in Game 1 of the World Series.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole lasted just 4 1/3 innings on Tuesday, but the bullpen was able to stymie the Guardians the rest of the way in Game 2, leading to a 6-3 win to go up 2-0 in the series. Cole unraveled in the fifth inning when he allowed two walks, two singles, and a sacrifice fly before being lifted, having thrown 89 pitches in the outing. In all, the 34-year-old allowed two earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four batters. If the Guardians are able to extend the series to six games, Cole would get another shot at them to bounce back. Otherwise, his next turn would come in the World Series.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole is expected to start Game 2 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Cole received two starts in the ALDS and held a solid 3.00 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 12 innings of work. In Game 1, Cole allowed three runs across five frames in a no-decision. However, in the series-clinching victory in Game 4, Cole led the way by tossing seven innings of one-run ball. He allowed six hits, no walks, and struck out four en route to earning the victory. This summer, the reigning AL Cy Young winner logged 95 innings to the tune of a 3.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 29:99 BB:K. DFS managers should always consider putting Cole in their lineup given how deep he typically pitches into games and for his high-strikeout upside.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole was fantastic in Game 4 of their ALDS series against the Kansas City Royals, throwing seven innings of one-run ball en route to a 3-1 victory. Cole allowed six hits and no walks while striking out four. Although his last start wasn't terrible, Cole will feel much better about this one. He should line up to pitch early in the ALCS and will start twice if the series gets extended. The Yankees are in a very good spot if Cole continues to pitch like he did today.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole will take the mound in Thursday's American League Division Series Game 4 against the Royals. He will be opposed by Michael Wacha. The 34-year-old, who missed the first few months of the season due to right elbow inflammation, had an erratic regular season but finished at 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and a 25.4% strikeout rate in 17 starts and 95 innings pitched. Cole did not pitch well in Game 1 of the series, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts in five IP. However, he owns a stellar career 3.05 post-season ERA in 18 starts and 109 1/3 IP. His historic success is encouraging, but his most recent outing does not inspire a ton of confidence for DFS leagues.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole dominated the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, tossing 6 shutout frames in a 10-1 victory. Cole allowed just two hits and a walk while punching out five in this one. The 34-year-old veteran has looked like himself since the start of August, allowing three or fewer runs in nine of his 10 starts since then. His upward turn is a good sign for the Yankees heading into the postseason, and a good sign for fantasy managers that are hoping he can return to ace level in 2025.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (calf) will make his next turn in the starting rotation this Sunday at Wrigley Field versus the hosting Chicago Cubs. Yankees fans and Cole's fantasy managers were holding their collective breath on Tuesday night when the 33-year-old reigning American League Cy Young winner was forced to leave his start early on Monday against the Texas Rangers, but it turned out to be only because of a right-calf cramp. He will be ready to go on Sunday in a pretty neutral pitching matchup, but fantasy managers will want to roll him out there in their starting lineups. Cole got a late start to his 2024 season due to a right-elbow injury, but he appears to be rounding into midseason form at just the right time and has a 1.85 ERA with 40 K's and 11 walks in 34 innings in his last six starts since Aug. 4.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (calf) left his start on Monday against the Texas Rangers early with a trainer at Globe Life Field in the seventh inning and was pointing at his calf when he departed. Before leaving, Cole had allowed just one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out nine in six innings of work. We won't know the severity of his calf injury until the team does some tests, so fantasy managers will want to check back later Monday evening or Tuesday morning. The Yankees and fantasy managers alike can ill-afford Cole to miss any time down the stretch, and an injury at this point could end up sidelining the ace through the rest of the month. Cole came into Monday's start on a strong five-start stretch in which he had a 1.93 ERA with 31 punchouts and 10 walks in 28 innings pitched.UPDATE: Cole left with a right-calf cramp, according to the team.

There is a strong expectation that New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole will opt out of the final four years and $144 million of his nine-year, $324 million contract with the team as he tries to get into the free-agent mix this winter now that he's back from an early-season elbow injury and pitching well. However, if Cole chooses to opt out, the Yankees can nullify it by adding a 10th year at $36 million onto his original deal. The 33-year-old six-time All-Star and reigning American League Cy Young winner has only made 12 starts in 2024 due to a right-elbow injury that cropped up in spring training. After a small hiccup at the end of July, he has been the ace we've come to know him as in his last five starts, posting a 1.93 ERA with 10 walks and 31 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole threw six shutout innings while giving up just one hit to beat the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday at Yankee Stadium for his 150th career victory. Cole improved to 5-2 on the year despite walking five and striking out only two in the outing. He improved to 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA (three earned runs in 23 innings) in three starts in August since receiving 10 days of rest following a tough outing on July 24 due to general body fatigue. Cole joined Justin Verlander (260), Max Scherzer (216) and Clayton Kershaw (212) as the only active pitchers with at least 150 wins. It appears that the rest given to Cole recently has worked out well for the Yankees. After getting a late start to the year due to an arm injury, Cole entered Thursday's outing with a 4.15 ERA, a 1.36 WHIP and a 60:16 K:BB in 52 innings over 10 starts.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole threw six shutout innings with eight strikeouts in Friday evening's series-opening victory over the hosting Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Cole picked up his fourth win of the season on Friday against the Tigers, allowing just four hits and two walks in a dominant outing for New York. The 33-year-old reigning American league Cy Young Award winner has logged a disappointing 4.15 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 60 punchouts and 16 walks over 52 2/3 frames (10 starts) for the Yankees this season.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole, who was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies due to general body fatigue, reported no issues after throwing on Wednesday. Cole is expected to throw a bullpen session on Friday and will likely start this weekend against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. It's good news for Cole, the Yankees and his fantasy managers after he got a late start to the season due to an elbow injury he suffered in spring training. The 33-year-old reigning American League Cy Young will have a good matchup against the offensively-challenged Jays as he looks to bounce back after a tough start in 2024. Through his seven starts, Cole hasn't looked like an ace, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 38 strikeouts and 12 walks in 35 innings. Hopefully, the six-time All-Star can turn things around with a little extra rest.