Gerrit Cole to undergo tests on elbow in potential Yankees nightmare

TAMPA — For a second straight March, the Yankees are holding their breath about Gerrit Cole’s elbow. 

The Yankees ace is undergoing tests on his right elbow, a source confirmed to The Post’s Jon Heyman on Friday night, after experiencing some discomfort. MLB Network first reported the news. 

Cole had made his second start of the spring on Thursday afternoon, giving up six runs in 2 ²/₃ innings against the Twins while building his pitch count up to 54.

He said after the outing he was pleased with his fastball velocity — which averaged 95.7 mph and topped out at 97.6 mph — but struggled with his command. 

Last March, Cole was diagnosed with elbow nerve inflammation and edema after making just one spring start, which sidelined him until June before he came back to make 17 starts. 

The Yankees already suffered one big blow to their rotation this spring as reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil was diagnosed this week with a high-grade lat strain, which will keep him out at least until June. Marcus Stroman is expected to slot into Gil’s rotation spot. 

If the 34-year-old Cole is forced to miss time, Will Warren would be the next man up into the rotation.

The young right-hander has put together a strong spring so far, and while Gil did his best Cole impression last season while filling his rotation spot, it would be a major ask for Warren to do the same this season.

And beyond Warren, the starting depth begins to fall off, as the next options would include Carlos Carrasco and Allan Winans, who are both in camp as non-roster invitees on minor league deals. 

After throwing 95 innings in the regular season last year, Cole went on to make five more starts in the playoffs, posting a 2.17 ERA. 

A few days after the World Series, Cole opted out of his contract, hoping the Yankees would negate it by adding an extra year at $36 million to the end of his contract.

But the Yankees called his bluff and stood pat, resulting in Cole opting back into the contract — which has four years and $144 million left on it — instead of exploring free agency. 

“The intention wasn’t to do anything other than stay,” Cole said last month. 

The Yankees do have insurance on Cole’s contract, meaning they could recover some money if he is hurt, though that would only be a small consolation at this point. 

It was only last month that the Yankees rotation had the look of possibly being among the game’s best with Cole, Max Fried (who they signed to an eight-year, $218 million contract in December), Carlos Rodón, Gil and Clarke Schmidt.

Now that could be in disarray before they even get to Opening Day. 

Upon reporting to camp this spring, Cole said he started his throwing program this offseason earlier than he had the last couple years to keep his arm moving, trying to build off the return-to-play protocol he went through last season.

He felt he was in a good spot physically, but just over a month later, an MRI was set to determine his fate once again.