The news that Gerrit Cole is anticipated to miss at least a month due to a right elbow injury—per a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman—took a serious toll on the Yankees’ rotation on Wednesday. Positively, Cole’s MRI supposedly revealed no UCL tear; nonetheless, Dr. Neal ElAttrache will examine him to ascertain the cause of his inflammation and pain.
There were several uncertainties in New York’s rotation even when Cole was fit. Since he is out, it might now be more important to add a starting pitcher before the regular season begins.
Heyman stated on Thursday on X that the team had “checked in on” right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen in order to achieve this goal. Before being traded to the Phillies before the Trade Deadline, the 32-year-old free agent was an All-Star with the Tigers the previous season and had a 3.58 ERA over 105 2/3 innings with Detroit.
There were more ups than downs during Lorenzen’s tenure in Philadelphia, and he finished the campaign in the bullpen. But there was also a no-hitter in there.
Righty Dylan Cease of the White Sox was moved to the Padres by Chicago on Wednesday night, despite the Yankees having previously been linked to him in trade rumors. Shortly before the right-hander was sent to San Diego, the Yankees reportedly made one last bid for Cease, according to MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi. Heyman also reports that the White Sox are among the teams interested in Lorenzen.
SNY’s Andy Martino claimed Monday that Cole’s injury had not spurred the Yankees to rekindle their pursuit of free agent Blake Snell. Snell turned down a qualifying offer as well, meaning that in order for the Yankees to sign the left-hander, they would have to give up their second and fifth-round picks in the 2024 MLB Draft in addition to $1 million from their international bonus pool during the forthcoming signing window.
