Right elbows of Cole, Giolito big topic for Yanks and Red Sox

The topic before, during and after the spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees on Wednesday revolved around ailing right elbows.

For Boston, the news wasn’t a complete surprise with righty Lucas Giolito likely done for the season following surgery. It wasn’t the Tommy John version, though, which could mean a quicker return.

For New York, things remain uncertain as ace Gerrit Cole continues to undergo tests on his elbow after experiencing issues in bouncing back following spring training starts. He flew to Los Angeles on Wednesday to see special Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone didn’t want to speculate on the extent of the injury in an interview during a 9-4 loss to the Red Sox. He didn’t have a timeline after the game, either.

“I understand it’s Gerrit Cole and it’s a big story,” Boone said. “But I’m not going to jump to a conclusion or speculate. We’re still in the gathering of information, and then everyone’s got to weigh in to determine what exactly we have.”

Cole, the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner, has been throwing fewer pitches in his spring training starts this year than other rotation members.

“As much as it sounds crazy, you try not to get ahead of yourself too much with things especially when you don’t know things,” Boone said.

The Red Sox announced Giolito underwent ulnar collateral ligament repair surgery with an internal brace on his right elbow.

Plummer, backup to Bench, dies

Bill Plummer, a reliable catcher who spent spent seven seasons backing up Johnny Bench during the Big Red Machine era and later served as a coach and manager in the majors and minors, has died. He was 76.

Plummer died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack last Thursday at home in Redding, Calif., according to social media posts.

Plummer was a solid defensive catcher but had a lifetime batting average of .188 with 14 career homers — two in the same game off Phillies Hall of Famer Steve Carlton in 1974.