The topic before, during and after the spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees on Wednesday revolved around ailing right elbows.
For Boston, the news wasn’t a complete surprise with righty Lucas Giolito likely done for the season following surgery. It wasn’t the Tommy John version, though, which could mean a quicker return.
For New York, things remain uncertain as ace Gerrit Cole continues to undergo tests on his elbow after experiencing issues in bouncing back following spring training starts. He flew to Los Angeles on Wednesday to see special Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone didn’t want to speculate on the extent of the injury in an interview during a 9-4 loss to the Red Sox. He didn’t have a timeline after the game, either.
“I understand it’s Gerrit Cole and it’s a big story,” Boone said. “But I’m not going to jump to a conclusion or speculate. We’re still in the gathering of information, and then everyone’s got to weigh in to determine what exactly we have.”
Cole, the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner, has been throwing fewer pitches in his spring training starts this year than other rotation members. The 33-year-old had an MRI exam on Monday and followed that up on Tuesday with X-rays and a CT scan.
“As much as it sounds crazy, you try not to get ahead of yourself too much with things especially when you don’t know things,” Boone said.
The Red Sox announced before their game that Giolito underwent ulnar collateral ligament repair surgery Tuesday with an internal brace on his right elbow. The typical recovery from the internal brace surgery, which uses an artificial material to make the repair, has allowed pitchers to return to the major leagues in as little as nine months. With Tommy John surgery, where a tendon replaces a torn ligament, it can require a rehab period of 12 to 18 months.
Giolito had the procedure performed by Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas at the Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Center in Birmingham, Alabama. The 29-year-old Giolito made two starts in spring training for the Red Sox after signing a $38.5 million, two-year deal.
“I do believe it was like the best-case scenario,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before the Yankees game. “Seeing what has happened with this procedure in the past, he’s going to be able to go out there and throw his changeup and his good fastball and help the Red Sox win some more games.”
RODÓN’S OUTING
The only hit allowed by lefty Carlos Rodón over four innings against Boston was a homer. After retiring his first 10 batters, Rodón gave up a 421-foot drive by Triston Casas. He struck out three over a 68-pitching outing that featured improved fastball velocity reaching 97 mph.