Yankees’ Max Fried Reacts to Gerrit Cole’s Injury Setback
Gerrit Cole devastating injury
The New York Yankees had high hopes for a dominant pitching duo when they signed Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract this offseason. However, those plans were disrupted when Gerrit Cole was diagnosed with an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery, ruling him out for the 2025 season. Fried shared his thoughts on Cole’s absence and his excitement about potentially pitching alongside him.
“I feel for Gerrit—it’s tough,” Fried said, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. “He’s a fierce competitor who wants to be out there, and this wasn’t an easy decision for him. I was looking forward to sharing a dugout with him, but that will have to wait.”
With Cole sidelined, Fried is the leading candidate to start on Opening Day, though nothing has been confirmed. Regardless, he is now the Yankees’ ace and will lead the rotation. Despite stepping into a more prominent role, Fried emphasized that his mindset remains the same.
“At the end of the day, no one can replace Gerrit Cole,” Fried said via Hoch. “My job is to take the mound whenever it’s my turn and give the team a chance to win, whether he’s pitching or not.”
The Yankees are facing several injury concerns, including Cole and Giancarlo Stanton, which creates uncertainty as Opening Day nears. While the roster still has plenty of talent, the team will need to overcome these challenges to compete this season.
**Yankees Face Rotation Crisis After Gerrit Cole’s Injury; Trevor Bauer Offers Services**
The New York Yankees received devastating news on Monday when ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that Gerrit Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday, ruling him out for the 2025 season. With Luis Gil also injured, the Yankees are in urgent need of starting pitching depth.
All top free-agent pitchers have already been signed, and acquiring a star through a trade would require giving up significant prospect capital. However, former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer has expressed his willingness to join the Yankees.
“Need a Cy Young starting pitcher for $0?” Bauer posted on X in response to a discussion about the Yankees’ injuries.
Bauer, who won the National League Cy Young Award in 2020, has not pitched in Major League Baseball since 2021 after serving a 194-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy. He has since played internationally, including a stint in the Mexican League in 2024, where he posted a 2.48 ERA, recorded 120 strikeouts, and was named Pitcher of the Year. He has signed with the DeNA BayStars in Japan for the upcoming season.
Bauer has repeatedly stated he is willing to pitch for the league minimum—even offering to play for free. However, signing him would likely generate controversy due to his past, and his strained history with Cole could further complicate the decision.
With a career 3.79 ERA and 1,416 strikeouts, Bauer presents an intriguing but polarizing option. The Yankees, facing limited alternatives, must weigh the potential benefits against the inevitable backlash.
