Yankees ace Gerrit Cole had internal brace as part of Tommy John surgery

NEW YORK AP Yankees ace Gerrit Cole had an internal brace put in his right elbow as part of Tommy John surgery on March and while not projecting a date for his mound return understands the usual rehabilitation takes about months Cole the AL Cy Young Award winner spoke with reporters on Monday for the first time since the operation by Los Angeles Dodgers head crew physician Dr Neal ElAttrache I m under the impression that it s the same recovery time months or so he noted I hope it comes back like maybe like a fresh new set of tires I mean that s best hope just a pit stop that took a little longer than you had hoped for A -year-old right-hander with - record and ERA over starts and innings in major league seasons Cole felt constrained when his arm initially was in a brace following the surgery It stinks he mentioned But now that I m stronger and less worried about getting bumped and things like that it s nice to be able to be back and be able come around more and be in the dugout he declared Cole s season debut was delayed to June because of nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow He went - with a ERA in starts for New York and then was - with a ERA in five postseason starts Cole went for tests after allowing a pair of home runs in his second spring training start this year against Minnesota on March I had trouble bending my elbow I had trouble moving my arm the next day he commented So I had a pretty good feeling we were in specific deep mud His need for surgery was clear when he met with ElAttrache I sat down in front of the computer and I saw it Cole explained AP MLB https apnews com hub MLB Source