The New York Yankees’ worst nightmare might be unfolding before Opening Day. As if they didn’t already have enough on the plate with the injury woes and that horrible postseason baggage of Aaron Judge’s performance, where he was largely a mess at the plate. But moving on, looks like Giancarlo Stanton is getting some company on the injury list with this starting pitcher. Fans, already on edge about the team’s championship window, are in full-blown panic mode. Some are even throwing in the towel before the season starts.

Ace Gerrit Cole, the backbone of their rotation, is undergoing an MRI on his right elbow after experiencing discomfort. Cole’s struggles in his latest spring training outing weren’t just a case of early-season rust. The AL Cy Young winner gave up six runs, looking uncharacteristically off. Now, the revelation that he’s dealing with elbow discomfort raises serious concerns. The Yankees, built around the idea of the 34-year-old leading their rotation, suddenly face the possibility of entering 2025 without their ace.

When Jon Heyman broke the news on X, he wrote, “Gerrit Cole is getting an MRI on his right elbow as he’s experiencing some discomfort. He allowed six runs in a recent spring game.” The Yankees fans flooded social media with frustration. Some pointed to the organization’s recent injury woes—Carlos Rodón, Aaron Judge, and Anthony Rizzo all missed significant time last season. Others called out the front office for failing to add more pitching depth, especially after missing out on Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell.

If Cole’s injury turns out to be significant, the Yankees are in trouble. Behind him, the rotation is shaky at best. Rodón still needs to prove he can stay healthy for a full season. Clarke Schmidt is solid but not a frontline guy. And while the Yankees made major moves this offseason, their rotation depth remains thin.

Let’s be real—any elbow issue is a reason to worry, especially for a pitcher with as many innings as Cole. The Yankees haven’t given a timetable, which isn’t exactly reassuring. If this turns into a long-term injury, the team might be forced into desperation mode. Do they trade for a starter? Do they push their young arms faster than expected?

For now, the Yankees and their fans can only wait. Maybe the MRI comes back clean, and Cole just needs rest. But if it doesn’t? The “season over” talk might not be an overreaction—it might just be reality.

Bronx meltdown: Yankees fans hit the panic button

A frustrated Yankees supporter vents their anger over what feels like an annual cycle of injuries derailing the team before the season even begins. They wrote, “Stanton Gil Cole Season hasn’t even started yet. Same goddam shit every f—— year.” By mentioning Stanton, Gil, and Cole, they highlight the ongoing health concerns surrounding key players—Stanton’s recurring injuries, Gil’s recent lat strain, and now, Cole’s alarming elbow issue. They point out that the season hasn’t even started, yet the Yankees are already dealing with setbacks. To them, it’s the same pattern that keeps happening again and again.

Another fan wrote, “Fire Cashman. Sell the team.” The comment showcases a fan’s disillusionment with the team’s management decisions and performance trajectory over time. The fan directly calls for the removal of Brian Cashman as the team’s manager due, to concerns regarding roster composition challenges and unwise contract decisions that have hindered the team from securing a World Series victory since 2009.

The user sarcastically refers to the New York Yankees as a “hospital,” mocking the team’s frequent injury problems, “New York Yankees Hospital.” Fans have grown bitter with the constant stream of injuries to key players, and Gerrit Cole’s elbow issue is just the latest addition to a long list. The user also put up a hospital emoji emphasizing the idea that the Yankees spend more time dealing with injuries than actually competing at full strength. It’s a way to express their exhaustion with what feels like a never-ending cycle of bad injury luck.

One comment said, “Prayers up for King Cole. This is the most disastrous Spring in memory. It just feels like kharma for not going all-in to take advantage of last season’s team with Soto, and leaving themselves so short going into this Spring due to budget. Cole has to be ok to even have a season.”

The Yankees failed to go all-in last year, particularly by failing to keep Juan Soto or make other major upgrades. The belief that the team left itself short due to budget concerns adds to the frustration, as they feel the front office’s reluctance to spend more has put them in this vulnerable position.

Another user wrote, “No one has it worse than us.” With Giancarlo Stanton also on the injury list, the Yankees face some serious questions before they head into the coming season. Though they have tried to upgrade their roster in every sense since Soto left, they still managed to skip on acquiring a third baseman. Even the stability they found in Judge and Soto’s partnership mid-last year has also gone for the toss. This leaves us with the question: who exactly is leading off?

In what seems like a potentially troubling start for the Yankees, Gerrit Cole’s health now feels like the tipping point between contention and disaster. If he’s not okay, the road ahead looks a lot darker in the Bronx.