Top MLB Insider Speaks on Gerrit Cole MRI “Concern”, Questions Yankees Ace’s Health as Opening Day Nears

Seeing how a great comedian like Jordan Peele transformed into a generational horror director was always amusing. How could one make such a drastic tonal shift look so easy? Then entered the New York Yankees and suddenly baseball had its own similar story. Only unlike Peele, the Yankees aren’t scaring anyone but themselves. As we look anxiously at Gerrit Cole’s impending MRI report, every second turns into a horrifying moment for the Pinstripes.

While the skipper Aaron Boone has always remained firm in his stance that it’s just a “precautionary” test, the mention of MRI does make things serious. That’s the sentiment that nearly every fan has shared. And now the top insider Ken Rosenthal has explained why this situation is peculiar for Gerrit Cole. Rosenthal recently made an appearance on the Foul Territory Show.

While he talked about many things, obviously the primary topic of discussion was the Yankees. The Aaron Judge ab scare got a mention but then talks shifted to Gerrit Cole. Rosenthal said, “Certainly it (Cole situation) hangs over the Yankees right now, and with Judge having his issue. That’s another thing that they’re dealing with that is not great. I don’t have to tell you guys anytime you go for an MRI – it’s a concern, period.”

“There’s a reason why they sent him for the MRI because he wasn’t bouncing back from relatively short appearances the way he wanted to. To me, that is a concern. That said, Cole has been one of the healthiest aces in the game for a long time. I don’t believe he’s ever been on the injured list for an arm injury.” Rosenthal expressed. While he was concerned, Rosenthal was hopeful that maybe Cole might not have to miss too many days. He based this assumption on the injury list of Cole – which is absurdly small for a pitcher with his resume.

Could Gerrit Cole’s unique injury list be giving a positive message?

For a pitcher who has played for 11 years and has 300 games under his belt, Cole has been quite fortunate physically. Everyone knows that pitchers are perhaps the ones that are most at risk of breaking down but Cole has remained a well-oiled machine. In 11 years, Cole has been on the injury list only a few times.

In 2019, he had issues with his hamstrings. Then in 2021 – Cole was put on the injury list due to COVID-19 health protocols and immediately after his hamstrings struck again. Other than that the Yankees ace experienced cramps in 2023 that made him unable to pitch for a few days. During his Pittsburgh Pirates days, Cole had some issues in his triceps, shoulders, and lats. But none of them were big enough to derail his momentum. Now one awaits the report with baited breaths. Will this turn out to be a false alarm or has the horror begun for the New York Yankees?

Read more: Should Gerrit Cole’s MRI Bring Bad News, Who Are Yankees’ Internal Rotation Contingencies?