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The announcement came after initial reports indicated that Cole had been experiencing elbow discomfort, prompting him to seek a second opinion regarding his condition. As noted by Jim Bowden, the recommendation for Tommy John surgery was made, and now it is an unfortunate reality. This unfolding situation highlights the severity of Cole's ongoing elbow issues, which date back to the previous season when he missed half of the schedule.
Had the decision been made to undergo surgery earlier, it is speculated that he might have returned to action by the summer of 2025, allowing the team to avoid such a glaring gap in their pitching rotation. But now, with Cole sidelined, the Yankees must scramble to fill the void left by their star pitcher.