Morning Briefing: Gerrit Cole Recommended for Tommy John Surgery

Good morning, Mets fans!

Jim Bowden of CBS Sports and The Athletic reported on Sunday night that Gerrit Cole has been recommended for Tommy John surgery. The team is currently awaiting a second opinion before confirming the diagnosis.

The 2023 unanimous Cy Young award winner would miss the entirety of the season if he is to get Tommy John surgery.

The New York Yankees already lost Luis Gil, reigning AL Rookie of the Year, for a minimum of six weeks due to a high-grade lat strain. That was a headache enough for Yankees fans, but losing Cole in the rotation would be devastating for the Bronx Bombers.

There was offseason speculation that former Met Marcus Stroman would be moved to the bullpen, which he vehemently opposed. He stated plainly on Valentine’s Day, “I’m a starter.”

Marcus Stroman was asked about the possibility of moving to the bullpen:

"I'm a starter. I won't pitch in the bullpen. I'm a starter" pic.twitter.com/M0N1kJGza2

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) February 14, 2025

If Cole is indeed out, Stroman very likely will be a starter.

The free agent acquisition of Max Fried from the Atlanta Braves is looking huge for the Yankees right now. He will shape up to be the new ace for the Yankees squad.

The rotation could look something as follows: Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, Stroman and Will Warren. Carlos Carrasco, also a former Met, is another option for that fifth rotation spot.

As it stands, nothing is solidified in the Yankees’ rotation. The only certain is that losing both Gil and Cole will be a massive setback for the pitching staff.

Latest Mets News

The “Sunday Scaries” were in full effect this weekend, as Manager Carlos Mendoze told reporters that Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez has a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. Alvarez will need surgery and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

Carlos Mendoza says that Francisco Alvarez has a fracture in the hamate bone of his left hand.

He will have surgery tomorrow and is expected to be out for 6-8 weeks. pic.twitter.com/dl8fixzOMX

— SNY (@SNYtv) March 9, 2025

With Opening Day still about three weeks away, this news is not catastrophic. If all goes well, Alvarez will be starting games for the Mets at the end of April or beginning of May, with plenty of baseball still to be played.

Alvarez hit .237/.307/.403 over 100 games in 2024. The 23-year-old was 5-22 with a .598 OPS thus far in spring training.

The Mets beat the Washington Nationals 7-6 on Sunday in a high-scoring affair. Two first inning home runs highlighted the Mets offense. Mark Vientos hit a two-run home run, his first of the spring.

Catcher Jakson Reetz kept the party alive with a grand slam later in the first inning. The catcher may be getting hot at the right time, in wake of Alvarez’s injury.

Grand Slam Jakson Reetz!!!???? pic.twitter.com/DBHwPgwEi1

— New York Mets (@Mets) March 9, 2025

Will Sammon of the Athletic reported that Kodai Senga threw 50 pitches on a backfield on Sunday. Desi Druschel, Mets assistant pitching coach, noted that his new sinker looked sharp.

Mike Mayer of Metsmerized reported that RHP Justin Hagenman, RHP Kevin Herger, RHP Austin Warren, and INF Jared Young have all be optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Additionally, the Mets have reassigned RHP Rico Garcia, RHP Grant Hartwig, RHP Yacksel Río, and LHP Brandon Waddell to minor league camp.

The Mets will face the St. Louis Cardinals Monday at 6:10 p.m. Griffin Canning will be on the bump for the Mets, facing off against Sonny Gray for the Cardinals. SNY will broadcast the game.

Latest MLB News

Michael Grove, RHP for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is out for the season after getting shoulder surgery, as reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. 

Ken Sugiura of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Braves left fielder Jurickson Profar has a bone bruise on his left wrist. He is expected to be ready and available for Opening Day.

Latest on MMO

Elliot Teichman previewed Luke Ritter as a non-roster invitee.

Mathew Brownstein articled an exclusive conversation with former Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey.

James Villani discusses Mets 9th overall prospect in Drew Gilbert, here.

On This Date in Mets History

1962: The New York Mets played their first game, a Grapefruit League opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Born on This Date: Mike Birkbeck (1961), John Cangelosi (1963), Ken MacKenzie (1934), Wayne Twitchell (1948).

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