Yankees ace Gerrit Cole to have MRI on elbow

New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will have an MRI on his pitching elbow, manager Aaron Boone said Monday.

The 33-year-old right-hander has needed more recovery time than usual for this time of year, per Boone.

The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner has made just one appearance this spring, allowing three runs on four hits in two innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 1.

The Yankees open the regular season with a four-game series in Houston against the Astros from March 28-31.

Cole was a unanimous selection for the Cy Young last season after going 15-4 and leading the league in ERA (2.63) and WHIP (0.98) while making 33 starts for the Yankees. He struck out 222 batters in 209 innings.

The six-time All-Star is 145-75 with a 3.17 ERA in 300 starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2013-17), Astros (2018-19) and Yankees.

—Field Level Media