New York Yankees Face Pitching Crisis After Gerrit Cole’s Injury

Ankit puri12 hours ago

The New York Yankees’ 2025 season took a major hit before it even began as the team announced Tuesday that ace Gerrit Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for the entire year. Additionally, Luis Gil is expected to miss around three months, further depleting an already thin pitching staff. With these losses, the Yankees now face one of their biggest challenges in recent memory: how to fill the void in their starting rotation.

The free-agent market is nearly barren, and viable trade options are scarce. Former MLB general manager Steve Phillips addressed the Yankees’ dilemma on MLB Network Radio, stating:

“The Yankees search for starting pitching, realizing that there’s not much available. It is slim pickings right now. You’ve got Kyle Gibson out there… Lance Lynn out there, a former Yankee still available. The trade market is a bit light.”

So, where do the Yankees go from here? Let’s examine the impact of these injuries, potential solutions, and how this setback might affect the team’s 2025 campaign.

The Impact of Losing Gerrit Cole

Gerrit Cole has been the heart of the Yankees’ rotation since signing a nine-year, $324 million deal in 2020. His 2024 campaign reinforced his dominance:

Record: 16-5
ERA: 2.63
Strikeouts: 217
WHIP: 1.03
WAR: 6.2

Cole’s absence leaves a massive void at the top of the rotation. He wasn’t just the team’s ace; he was a workhorse who provided stability, ate innings, and often dominated opposing lineups. Losing him means the Yankees will have to rely on their depth and potentially make moves to stay competitive in the AL East.

Luis Gil’s Injury Adds to the Woes

Adding to the Yankees’ misfortunes, Luis Gil’s three-month absence further complicates matters. The young right-hander was expected to play a key role in the rotation, especially in a developmental year following his return from Tommy John surgery.

With Gil unavailable, the Yankees now have an even thinner margin for error when it comes to their starting pitching depth.

Current Yankees Rotation: Who Steps Up?

With Cole and Gil out, the Yankees’ rotation now looks like this:

Carlos Rodón – The lefty will need to return to ace form after a rough 2024 season (5.12 ERA).
Nestor Cortes Jr. – A fan favorite and key piece, but can he stay healthy?
Clarke Schmidt – Showed promise in 2024 but lacks frontline experience.
Domingo Germán – Inconsistent, but capable of delivering quality starts.
Jhony Brito/Randy Vásquez – Unproven young arms who will need to step up.

The Yankees still have a solid group, but without Cole, there’s no true No. 1 starter. This puts immense pressure on Carlos Rodón to live up to his $162 million contract and regain his All-Star form.

The Free-Agent Market: Slim Pickings

Unfortunately for the Yankees, the free-agent pitching market is nearly depleted. The biggest names are already off the board, leaving a handful of veterans who come with question marks. Potential options include:

Kyle Gibson (ERA: 4.50 in 2024) – A serviceable innings-eater, but not a frontline starter.
Lance Lynn (ERA: 5.73 in 2024) – A former Yankee, but his performance has declined significantly.
Michael Lorenzen (ERA: 4.18 in 2024) – Could be a short-term fix, but lacks the ability to replace Cole’s impact.

None of these pitchers would dramatically change the Yankees’ outlook, but in desperate times, adding a veteran could at least stabilize the back end of the rotation.

Exploring the Trade Market

If free agency doesn’t provide solutions, the Yankees may turn to trades. However, as Phillips noted, the trade market isn’t particularly strong right now. That said, a few intriguing names could be available:

Corbin Burnes (Baltimore Orioles) – The Yankees’ division rivals likely won’t deal him, but he would be a dream acquisition.
Dylan Cease (Chicago White Sox) – A top-tier starter, but the asking price is steep.
Shane Bieber (Cleveland Guardians) – A strong veteran presence who could be a great fit.
Jesús Luzardo (Miami Marlins) – A lefty with electric stuff, but Miami would demand a significant return.

The problem? The Yankees may need to part with top prospects like Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones to land an impact starter. Would they be willing to sacrifice future talent for short-term gains?

Internal Options: Young Arms Ready to Shine?

While outside additions are one route, the Yankees also have internal options who could step up:

Will Warren – One of the Yankees’ top pitching prospects, Warren has impressed in Triple-A.
Drew Thorpe – A polished young arm who could be fast-tracked to the majors.
Yoendrys Gómez – A high-upside prospect who might get a shot if injuries continue to pile up.

Giving young pitchers a chance could be risky, but it might be necessary given the current state of the rotation.

How the Yankees’ Season Could Be Affected

The Yankees were considered strong contenders heading into 2025, but losing Cole dramatically changes their ceiling. Without a true ace:

They will rely heavily on Rodón and Cortes, who both carry injury risks.
The bullpen will likely see increased workload, which could lead to fatigue issues.
The team’s ability to compete in a tough AL East (with the Orioles, Blue Jays, and Rays all strong) is now in question.

The Yankees’ front office faces immense pressure to find a solution. They cannot afford to waste another year of Aaron Judge’s prime, and expectations remain sky-high in New York.

Potential Paths Forward: What Should the Yankees Do?

With limited options, the Yankees must decide on their approach:

Make a Blockbuster Trade – If they’re serious about contending, they could trade top prospects for a frontline starter.
Sign a Veteran Stopgap – Adding someone like Gibson or Lorenzen could provide short-term stability.
Trust Internal Options – Give prospects like Warren or Thorpe a chance to prove themselves.
Reassess at Midseason – See how the current rotation holds up and make moves at the trade deadline.

Each approach comes with risks, and general manager Brian Cashman must weigh short-term needs against long-term sustainability.

The Yankees entered 2025 with high hopes, but Gerrit Cole’s injury has thrown a massive wrench into their plans. With a weakened rotation and few external solutions, they must get creative to stay competitive.

Whether they pursue trades, sign a veteran, or lean on young arms, one thing is clear: the road ahead just got significantly tougher. How the Yankees respond in the coming weeks will determine whether they can still make a deep playoff run—or if this season is destined to be a struggle.