The last time Gerrit Cole took the mound, he was at the center of the New York Yankees’ heartbreaking collapse in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series.
Cole played a key role in the Yankees’ disastrous fifth inning, where they squandered a commanding 5-0 lead to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, the 2023 AL Cy Young winner managed to steady himself and exited in the seventh inning with New York still clinging to a 6-5 advantage.
Unfortunately for the Yankees, their bullpen faltered, allowing two late runs as the Dodgers rallied for a 7-6 victory to clinch the title.
Now, as Spring Training gets underway in Florida, Cole is back in pinstripes after opting into the final four years of his nine-year contract.
Video of his arrival at camp has been making the rounds on social media – but not for the reasons one might expect.
Some fans took notice of Cole’s physique, sparking debate about whether the Yankees’ ace had put on extra weight during the offseason.
“Cole been eating a couple too many chicken parm dinners this offseason. Need him sweating some of that off in the Florida heat asap,” Outkick’s Gunz said of Cole.
Needless to say, many Yankees fans also noticed Cole’s physique and took to social media to voice their concerns…
“Doesn’t cover 1st base.
Comes into camp overweight.
This just keeps getting better.”
“Geez, did Cole workout at all over the winter?? The guy has a paunch!”
“Looks like Cole is ready for a training bra … Fatty.”
“Looks like a few too many trips to ihop.”
“No way this dude is 35 he looks like he’s pushing 55.”
“Dude is fat.”
Despite the backlash on social media, many Yankees fans were simply happy to see Cole back and healthy after an injury-shortened 2024 season.
The right-hander battled elbow issues that limited him to 17 starts, where he posted an 8-5 record with a 3.41 ERA.
Cole’s presence will be crucial for a Yankees rotation that has undergone significant changes heading into the 2025 season.
Alongside him, New York’s starting staff will feature big-ticket free agent Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt.
Now, in fairness to Cole, he’s always been on the thicker side and it’s not like baseball players need to look like Leonidas from 300.
Having said that, should Yankees fans be a little worried that Cole appears to be out-of-shape???
