Originally Gerrit Cole, Framber Valdez Were Starting For New York, Houston Today On Opening Day In Houston Texas Though, Instead Nestor Cortes, Framber Valdez Are Starting

Originally Gerrit Cole, Framber Valdez were starting for New York, Houston today on Opening Day in Houston Texas.

Though, instead Nestor Cortes, Framber Valdez are starting.

Where?

On the mound!

Why?

Because Gerrit Cole is rehabbing his pitching elbow that does not require Tommy John Surgery.

What is Tommy John Surgery?

UCL reconstruction is a surgery commonly used to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament inside the elbow by replacing it with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. The goal of the surgery is to stabilize the elbow, reduce or eliminate pain and restore stability and range of motion. This procedure was introduced and first performed by Frank Jobe, M.D., on baseball pitcher Tommy John in 1974—hence the colloquial name Tommy John surgery.

According to https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/tommy-john-surgery-ulnar-collateral-ligament-reconstruction

Following learning that Gerrit Cole’s right elbow doesn’t require Tommy John Surgery Gerrit Cole who won his inaugural Cy Young following 2023 season when he finished with a record of 15-4 with an earn run average of 2.63 had this to say!

“It’s not a common experience for me; I haven’t really dealt with anything like this before,”“Anytime you’re going through something for the first time, there’s a little bit of uncertainty, but I had a lot of faith.” he also said he isn’t going to require any platelet-rich plasma injections and will continue to work out to keep his arm in shape.“I think we’ve determined that we just got a little too hot a little too quick in the spring,”“We progressed through the normal recovery cycle, but at a certain time we didn’t get back to the baseline which was our target. At that point, it was time to see what was going on.”

According to Bryan Hoch article https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/gerrit-cole-to-avoid-throwing-for-three-to-four-weeks

On Opening Day New York the team that wears the pinstripes manager Aaron Boone had this to say about not having Gerrit Cole starting opening day!

“It certainly sucks not having your ace go, but I’m also excited about Nestor (Cortes) getting that chance.”

According to https://twitter.com/BryanHoch/status/1773407494762647643

Nestor Cortes, Framber Valdez are alike because they’re both left handed starting pitchers!

Nestor Cortes had this to say about being named New York’s Opening Day starting pitcher!

It’s special,”“Obviously, under the circumstances we are now, it’s not ideal. But you’re happy when you’re named Opening Day starter. It’s cool. It’s something to add to the resume, for sure.”

According to Bryan Hoch MLB article https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/nestor-cortes-yankees-2024-opening-day-starter

Framber Valdez had this to say about being Houston’s Opening Day starting pitcher!

“I feel good,”“It’s another accomplishment of my career and just another opportunity the Astros are giving me to start the first day.”

According to Brian McTaggart article https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/framber-valdez-astros-opening-day-starter-2024

First pitch is set for 4:10pm from Minute Maid Park if New York, Houston fans are watching in Eastern Standard Time! First pitch set for 3:10pm from Minute Maid Park if New York, Houston fans, spectators are watching in Central Daylight Time!

The game is going to be televised on Yes, Space City Network!