Due to an elbow injury in his throwing arm, Nestor Cortes was sidelined during the last week of the season, which was a major blow to the Yankees pitching staff. Although Cortes has finally started throwing over the past four days, the Yankees were spared the awful news of a UCL tear. Instead, Cortes would need to have PRP injections and be sidelined for seven to ten days. While it’s unknown if Aaron Boone will be able to return in October, he told the media today that he would throw again today with more energy. This gives Cortes another opportunity to advance.
Nestor Cortes had a fantastic season last year, pitching 174.1 innings with a 3.77 ERA and 3.84 FIP. Cortes was able to stay healthy and improve in the latter month of the 2024 season as he started throwing a changeup more frequently after battling ailments and inconsistent play throughout the 2023 season. Prior to October, the Yankees had dabbled with his role on this pitching staff, starting him against the Chicago Cubs out of the bullpen and having him pitch four perfect innings.
In his last seven appearances, Cortes recorded a 2..99 FIP and 1.58 ERA, with a rise in Stuff+ and a fall in damage contact allowed. When it was announced that Cortes would get an MRI on his left elbow, the Yankees, who had great expectations for him going into October, decided to scratch him before he made his debut against the Orioles. Cortes had the versatility to help the Yankees in both short and extended series in a variety of ways, so it was a serious blow to the bullpen and rotation.
Even with this most recent update, Nestor Cortes might still make a comeback if his body continues to react favourably to throwing sessions in a subsequent round.
It does not appear as though Nestor Cortes would be ready for the ALCS if the Yankees defeated the Royals in either Game 4 or Game 5. There have been no reports of Cortes throwing off a mound, and the first game of that round is scheduled to start on Monday, which is four days away. The World Series might be a reasonable timeline for the Yankees to reach Cortes if they wish to see him in October once more.
If he wanted to be activated, he would probably have to go back to the bullpen, but the Yankees are focused on their opponent in Kansas City right now. In an attempt to secure a series victory, Gerrit Cole will bat first tonight and put the Yankees in position to face the Tigers or Guardians. Game 4 of the ALDS between NY and KC is scheduled to begin at 8:08 PM EST.
