New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will miss 10-12 weeks with his right elbow injury, but is not believed to need Tommy John surgery, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Yankees had not officially announced Cole's diagnoses.

Cole, the 2023 AL Cy Young winner, met with surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Thursday in Los Angeles after undergoing a series of further tests.

Upon his return to Yankees camp in Tampa, Cole told reporters that he's been prescribed rest for three to four weeks before he resumes throwing.

“I think we determined that we just got a little too hot a little too quick this spring," Cole said.

While 2-3 months is a considerable chunk of the season, Cole avoiding Tommy John surgery – for now – is a huge sigh of relief for the Yankees, who hope to compete for the AL East crown in 2024. The 33-year-old was originally said to be out until at least May.

Cole only made one start during spring training, a two-inning outing on March 1.

The stint on the injured list will be the first time that Cole is missing a start for a non-COVID ailment since 2016.

Who will be Yankees' Opening Day starter?

With Cole sidelined, the Yankees revealed Friday that Nestor Cortes will make his first career Opening Day start on March 28 in Houston.

Cortes, 29, was an All-Star for the Yankees in 2022 but injuries limited the left-hander to 12 starts last season.

"Just blessed that I’m healthy now and happy to be the Opening Day starter," the lefty said after tossing a four-inning simulated game Friday.

“I’ve kind of always been the up and down guy early in my career, at best (a) fifth starter," Cortes said. “Was able to get an All-Star (selection) under my belt, but this one was far-fetched for me and I’m just happy."

Gerrit Cole contract

Cole signed a nine-year, $324 million contract with New York prior to the 2020 season, then the biggest deal ever issued to a pitcher. He has a 3.08 ERA in 108 starts over four seasons with the Yankees.

The right-hander spent 2018 and 2019 with the Houston Astros after pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates for the first five seasons of his career.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gerrit Cole injury update: Tommy John not expected for NY Yankees ace