Nestor Cortes has not been available to pitch for the New York Yankees since being placed on the injured list on September 25. However, manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Monday that there was “a good chance” the Yankees would add one of the players. added the staff’s top pitchers to their World Series roster.
“I think there’s a good chance of that. He’s scheduled to give another live one [bullpen session] tomorrow,” Boone said. “So if everything goes well there, I’d say there’s a good chance he’s on the roster, yeah.”
As Boone said, Cortes’ availability will depend on how he feels after pitching on Tuesday. The southpaw threw a bullpen ahead of Saturday’s Game 5 in the American League Championship Series.
In 31 appearances (30 starts), Cortes finished with a 3.77 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings. Only Carlos Rodón threw more innings among the Yankees’ starting pitchers.
However, Cortes last pitched on September 18, after an MRI examination revealed a flexor strain in his left elbow. Prior to the examination, he had been suffering from tenderness in his elbow for approximately three weeks. But he felt pain during a bullpen session between starts, which led to the MRI exam.
At the time, that seemed like a potential season-ending problem, given that flexion strains are often a precursor to torn ligaments that may require reconstructive surgery. But imaging showed no damage to the ulnar collateral ligament of Cortes and rest and rehabilitation were recommended.
With their run to the World Series, the Yankees’ season lasted long enough for Cortes to recover and make his return a likely possibility.
Although Cortes was a starter all season, he will be available as a reliever in the World Series. He could be a valuable weapon against left-handed hitters, whom he held to a .204 average and .530 OPS on the season. (Right-handers hit .256 with a .760 OPS against Cortes, so he could be used in any situation.)
