Yankees’ Cole not expected to need surgery, figures to miss two months

The New York Yankees determined ace Gerrit Cole can avoid Tommy John surgery on his ailing right elbow. The verdict came after noted elbow specialist Dr. Neal Elattrache agreed with team doctors that Cole’s ulnar collateral ligament isn’t torn and that the elbow can be treated with rest and rehabilitation. The 33-year-old reigning Cy Young Award winner, expected to be sidelined two months, is entering the fifth season of a nine-year, $324 million deal.

■ Pirates: Free-agent center fielder Michael A. Taylor agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal. The 32-year-old 2021 Gold Glove winner has batted .239 in 10 major league seasons with three teams. He hit .220 with 21 homers, 51 RBIS and 13 steals in 129 games with Minnesota in 2023.

■ Blue Jays: Catcher Danny Jansen sustained a right wrist fracture when he was hit by a pitch Wednesday and likely will be sidelined for opening day, manager John Schneider said. The 28-year-old hit .228 with 17 homers and 53 RBIS in 83 games last season.

■ Obit: Former pitcher Jim Mcandrew, who went 36-49 with a 3.65 ERA in 161 games from 1968 to

’74, died Thursday after a brief illness. He was 80. Mcandrew spent his first six seasons with the New York Mets before one year with San Diego.

■ Athletics: Free-agent third baseman J.D. Davis agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal, with another $1 million available in incentives. The 30-year-old has hit .261 with a .775 OPS in seven major league seasons with three teams.

■ Cardinals: Manager Oliver Marmol received a two-year extension through 2026. The 37-year-old is 164-160 in two seasons, with one division title and one last-place finish.