New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman revealed that pitching prospect James Kaprielian has options on the table, including surgery.

The entire New York Yankees organization is holding its breath as they wait for the official word on how James Kaprielian will combat his latest elbow injury.

At the moment, it doesn’t sound too great, as all signs are pointing towards elbow surgery, which would sideline New York’s first-round pick in the 2015 draft for the second consecutive season.



General manager Brian Cashman addressed the media following the Yankees’ 8-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday and said that Kaprielian visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Tuesday and came to the same determination the team’s doctors did — which remains undisclosed.

According to the Yankee GM, it’s up to Kaprielian to choose whether or not to go through surgery. Once again, the type of surgery was not specified by Cashman.

“Clearly, you don’t bounce around the country if the surgical option isn’t on the table,” Cashman said. “It’s either the surgical option or continue to pitch through it. He’s basically gonna take a day or two to talk to his family and his agency and get back to us about what he’d like to see happen.”



Kaprielian missed the entire 2016 season with a right elbow flexor strain. Cashman mentioned in his address to the media that the contemporary injury is directly related to the one that derailed what would have been his first full season in professional ball.

“The rehab process has not been successful without having continued issues. So he’s facing some decisions.”

The 23-year-old was slated to begin the regular season in High-A Tampa coming off a healthy spring training. Kaprielian pitched just once against the Toronto Blue Jays this spring and didn’t allow a run over two innings of work while striking out three with a fastball that sat in the 95-96 mph range.

The potential is clearly there, but it’s unknown when or if that can be attained if the injury bug keeps biting.