Gerrit Cole was spotted for the first time since The Post reported that the Yankees ace would be out for at least one-to-two months.
The reigning AL Cy Young winner was photographed at LAX on Wednesday.
In photographs exclusively obtained by The Post, Cole is seen wearing a dark long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans along with a grey backpack as he exited the bustling Los Angeles airport.
When approached by a videographer, Cole politely requested “a little space.”
Pressed for an update on his injured arm, the righty replied, “I feel like I answered that question already.”
Cole is slated to meet with noted sports surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache as concern over his ulnar collateral ligament prompted the Yankees pitcher to go for an in-person visit.
Team doctors and ElAttrache viewed Cole’s preliminary film and the highly respected sports surgeon recommended further testing despite early optimism that things could be dealt with using rest and conservative treatments.
Cole is anticipated to be out for an “extended period” with the hope currently being that he could return in May or early June.
He has already been ruled for Opening Day on March 28 when the Yankees take on the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone had told reporters in Florida at spring training that Cole was “handling” the situation with his right elbow.
“Right now, it’s … that uncertainty. You try to get your arms around what exactly’s going on in there,” Boone said.
Though Cole hadn’t lost any velocity or command while on the mound during the spring, his recovery had become an issue.
Boone said earlier in the week that Cole’s recovery compared more to what he’d felt “during the season, when he’s making 100 pitches.”
Cole had a 2.63 ERA and struck out 222 batters last season in 209 innings en route to his first Cy Young.
