Gerrit Cole’s abrupt elbow injury has foiled the New York Yankees’ opening-day plans by miles. Cole was slated not only to pitch on opening day but also lead the five-man rotation for the impending season. However, the tables turned just days ahead of the opening series against the Houston Astros.
While the Yankees have their opening-day starter in Nestor Cortes, the quest for a fifth starter is still ongoing. In a recent setback, the front office lost two-time CY Young pitcher and coveted starter Blake Snell to the San Francisco Giants. Amid this, the Bronx Bombers are now eyeing a reunion with a World Series-winning pitcher.
Yankees ‘Unsure’ Of Reunion With Jordan Montgomery!
The New York Yankees had to re-enter the pitching market just weeks ahead of the opening day due to Gerrit Cole‘s worrisome elbow injury. The reigning AL CY Young pitcher is out for 10-12 weeks, and therefore, the Yanks are short on a fifth starter. Moreover, to further add to the misery, the team lost coveted free agent Blake Snell to the San Francisco Giants. Snell, who was earlier aggressively pursued by the Bronx Bombers, signed a two-year $62 million deal with an opt-out after the 2024 season. While Yanks are inclined to seek internal help, the doors for external options are not yet closed. After missing out on Snell, the Yankee front office wanted to pursue World Series winner Jordan Montgomery.
Jordan Montgomery served in the New York Yankees for a while before being traded to the Cardinals. After exiting the Bronx, Montgomery not only achieved success but also proved himself as a formidable postseason pitcher. Having said that, while the Bronx Bombers sought a reunion, a deal is unlikely to come through. Montgomery has upped his stakes this free agency and is seeking a long-term contract similar to Carlos Rodon’s six-year $162 million deal with the Yanks. The Yanks have so far declined to offer much money, just like the rest of the interested parties. Having said that, with Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs in play for Jordan Montgomery, the Yanks are somewhat less confident of a reunion happening this off-season. The front office will have to settle for an in-house option for the time being.
Gerrit Cole Out For 1-2 Months, Nestor Cortes Named Opening Day Starter
New York Yankees ace and reigning AL CY Young pitcher Gerrit Cole has been diagnosed with nerve inflammation in his pitching elbow, which will keep him out for the next 1-2 months. He has been asked to stop throwing activities for at least four weeks. That rules him out of the opening-day series against the Astros scheduled for March 28.
Having said that, the Yankees were swift to announce Nestor Cortes as their opening-day starter. Carlos Rodon will take the mound in game 2 of the series, followed by Marcus Stroman on day 3. Needless to say, Cole’s injury is a massive loss for Yanks ahead of opening day. However, the team has equal faith in Cortes to pull out a strong start.
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