The topic before, during and after the spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees on Wednesday revolved around soreness in his right elbow.
For Boston, the news was not a total surprise with Righty Lucas Giolito probably done for the season following the operation. It was not the Tommy John Versionhowever, which could mean a quicker return.
For New York, things remain uncertain because ace Gerrit Cole continues undergoing elbow testing after having difficulty rebounding following the start of spring training. He flew to Los Angeles on Wednesday to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache specifically.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone would not speculate on the extent of the injury in an interview during a 9-4 loss to the Red Sox. He also had no timetable after the game.
“I understand it’s Gerrit Cole and it’s a big story,” Boone said. “But I’m not going to jump to conclusions or speculate. We’re still gathering information, and then everyone has to give feedback to determine what exactly we have.
Cole, a 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner, threw fewer pitches in his spring training starts this year than other members of the rotation. The 33-year-old had an MRI scan on Monday, followed by X-rays and a CT scan on Tuesday.
“Even though it sounds crazy, you try not to rush into things too much, 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 splint on his right elbow. The typical recovery from 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 rehabilitation period of 12 to 18 months.
Giolito had the procedure carried out by Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas at Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Giolito, 29, made two starts in spring training for the Red Sox after signing a two-year, $38.5 million contract.
“I think it was the best-case scenario,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before the Yankees game. “Seeing what’s 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 a few more games.
RODÓN EXIT
The only hit left-hander Carlos Rodón allowed in four innings against Boston was a home run. After retiring his first 10 batters, Rodón gave up a 421-foot drive from Triston Casas. He struck out three during a 68-pitch outing that featured an improved fastball velocity reaching 97 mph.
“Today I was able to gain confidence,” Rodón said.
Rodón had allowed three homers in 5 2/3 innings in his previous two spring training starts. He is scheduled to start the Yankees’ second regular season game on March 29 in Houston.
FROM SEOUL
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto removed to the side in the first against Seattle before allowing four runs in 4 2/3 innings. It’s a great way to end his time at spring training in Arizona.
The Dodgers will soon travel to Seoul, South Korea for their home opener against San Diego on March 20.
Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers will face the Kiwoom Heroes in an exhibition on Sunday, while South Korea will face the Padres. San Diego faces the LG Twins in another exhibition on Monday and South Korea faces the Dodgers.
Then it’s the real thing, with matches next Wednesday and Thursday. Game 1 should see Los Angeles’ Tyler Glasnow and San Diego’s Yu Darvish take the mound. In game 2, Yamamoto, freshly signed a 12-year, $325 million contract, will start. Joe Musgrove opts for the Padres.
TO START
In a post on social medialeft-hander José Quintana invited all New York Mets fans to come watch him pitch after receiving the opening day start against Milwaukee on March 28. Quintana, 35, went 3-6 with a 3.57 ERA last season for New York.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced the decision Wednesday.
In other Mets news, third baseman Brett Baty has been scratched from the lineup due to a minor back strain. It is considered day by day.
BO KNOWS HONORS
Bo Jackson was elected to Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame.
The team announced Wednesday that on June 29, the baseball/football star will be honored in an on-field ceremony before the team takes on Cleveland. Jackson shocked the sports world when he chose to play baseball over football and joined the Royals in 1986.
He played five seasons with Kansas City, making an All-Star team in 1989 and winning the game’s MVP award. In total, Jackson played in the big leagues for eight years, notably with the Chicago White Sox and the California Angels. He hit .250 with 141 home runs and 415 RBIs.
Jackson’s “off-season” efforts included playing fullback for the Raiders, who were in Los Angeles at the time. He stayed with them for four seasons, starting in 1987, before suffering a hip injury. He totaled 2,782 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Winner of the Heisman Trophy at Auburn, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
WITHDRAWAL
THE The Dodgers announced that left-hander Justin Wilson opted out of his contract with the team to become a free agent. Wilson, 36, pitched 11 seasons in the majors. His last league appearances came with Cincinnati in 2022, when he played in five games.
GOING DEEP
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz hit his fifth home run of spring training against Toronto’s Chris Bassitt on Wednesday. Cruz hit 17 home runs in 2022 when he finished sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
AP freelance writer Mark Didtler contributed to this report.
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