Yankees Elbows up in Pitching Injuries
This is why it pays to learn to pitch and not just try to ring up 100 mph on the radar clock. A generation of young flamethrowers have mostly disappeared from the scene. The Yankees are no exception, as their young arms have failed to remain sound. The bullpen, in particular, has taken hits with Jake Cousins, forearm, Clayton Beeter, and Clarke Schmidt, both shoulders, are on the IL. The trouble spot going into 2025 has been the dreaded elbow.
The elbow nearly derailed the Yankee ace Gerrit Cole in 2024, but rest and rehabilitation bought them a year. In 2025, Cole’s elbow finally gave out as Tommy John surgery was needed to repair the damage. Most pitchers use the RICE method to recover from elbow woes without surgery. It consists of rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This kept Cole in the lineup as he sensed a World Series opportunity. It has also given the Yankees hope that most of the wounded will return within two to three months.
Jonathan Loaisiga is currently on the 15-day IL with an elbow in the final stages of a recovery that dates to last April when he had an internal brace procedure done. He was originally going to be placed on the 60-day IL, but progress has been measured by the decision to go with a shorter stint. It's a wonder the Yankees did not give up on Jonathan, who was once thought to be anointed closer of the future in 2021. The elbow status has been a back-and-forth situation. He contracted Covid and then had a bone spur removed from his elbow in May of 2023. He then encountered a right flexor strain last April, which landed him on the 60-day IL. It was discovered a day later that it was a torn UCL in the right elbow. The Jonathan Loaisiga of 2025 is here purely on faith that he will be healthy at long last.
Will Warren is on the starting staff, but another pitcher who was talked about with him is Chase Hampton. Chase is another young player with talent but unable to stay on the field. The 23-year-old has found luck wanting as injuries have haunted him throughout his minor league career. It culminated in him undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Yankees still feel there will be a large upside upon his return. “He’s really talented and got a chance to be a really good pitcher, and this doesn't stop that,” manager Aaron Boone explained. “This just puts a pause on it and obviously puts a delay on things.”
The continued issues with elbow, shoulder, and lat injuries on Yankee pitchers have been mostly unresolved for several years now. If it's not the Yankee medical staff at fault, one must look at how management conducts itself concerning young players. Are the Yankees’ baby prospects too much, or are they just slow to respond to potential issues? It’s more disturbing when it's happening not to veterans but to young players. This question must be answered, or they risk gutting their future.
