Cole has nerve irritation, won't throw for 3-4 weeks
New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole won't throw for three-to-four weeks after he was diagnosed with nerve irritation and edema in his elbow.
"Three-to-four weeks no throw, and we'll go from there," Cole said on Saturday, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.
"I think we determined that we just got a little too hot a little too quick this spring."
Cole was shut down by the Yankees on Monday and underwent imaging after he struggled to recover from throwing at his usual pace.
The 2023 AL Cy Young winner visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday where he learned he would not need Tommy John surgery.
Cole is not scheduled to receive PRP injections and will rely on "rest and recovery" while keeping his arm active with plyo exercises until he can resume throwing, the pitcher told Hoch.
"I felt pretty good leaving the doctor," Cole said, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner.
The 33-year-old added it's too early to determine a return date. Initial reports suggested he would be sidelined 10-12 weeks.
Cole was 15-4 last season with a 2.63 ERA and 222 strikeouts in 209 innings.
The Yankees announced on Friday that Nestor Cortes would start on Opening Day with Cole sidelined.