Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Superb in second spring start
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Cortes tossed four scoreless innings against St. Louis in a Grapefruit League game Thursday, allowing two hits and no walks while striking out seven batters.
This was a far better outing for Cortes than his spring debut March 18, when he allowed five runs in 3.2 frames. The left-handed hurler worked his way up to 66 pitches (47 of which were strikes) in the outing Thursday after throwing 52 his previous time out. Cortes didn't participate in early Grapefruit League action due to a hamstring injury, but he appears to be back to full health and set to be in the rotation to begin the campaign. Though Cortes is by hierarchy the Yankees' No .3 starter, he'll likely start New York's fifth game of the season in order to have a few extra days to ramp up.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Allows five runs in spring debut
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Cortes allowed five runs in 3.2 innings of work Saturday in his Grapefruit League debut against the Blue Jays.
Cortes allowed three walks and three hits while striking out four. He allowed two homers in the contest, and he threw 35 of 52 pitches for strikes. The line is unimpressive, but the big takeaway is that Cortes was able to get back on the bump after missing the first few weeks of the Grapefruit League because of a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He'll likely pitch again next week, and he appears to be well on his way to being a part of the Opening Day rotation.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Making spring debut
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Cortes (hamstring) is starting Saturday's game against the Blue Jays.
This is a big deal, as Cortes is working to get ready in time to make his first turn in the rotation. It's already been reported that he probably won't pitch in the first series against the Giants, but he could take the ball April 3 at home against the Phillies. He has been throwing live batting practice sessions and simulated games thus far in camp.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Spring debut scheduled
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Cortes (hamstring) is tentatively scheduled for a live batting practice session Monday and a Grapefruit League appearance the following Sunday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Cortes has been dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain since early in camp. The given timeline would mean he'll be getting into game action just 11 days before the regular season begins, so it's possible he'll be on a pitch count for his first few outings of the year, but he should still be able to avoid the injured list if all goes well.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: One more live BP before debut
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cortes (hamstring) will throw one more live batting practice session before making his spring debut, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Cortes threw a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, and Boone told reporters after the outing that the southpaw threw the ball well. The 28-year-old is set to face hitters once more in a controlled setting before likely making his Grapefruit League debut. Because of his hamstring injury, Cortes is expected to open the season as the Yankees' No. 5 starter, but it doesn't appear as though he'll lose out on any turns through the rotation as a result of the delayed start to his spring throwing progression.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Completes three-inning sim game
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Cortes (hamstring) threw a three-inning simulated game Wednesday, Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record reports.
The Yankees haven't provided an update on Cortes' next step, but if he's kept on his normal between-starts throwing schedule for the regular season, he could be a candidate to make his first start of the spring as soon as next Monday versus the Twins. Before exposing Cortes to pitching in an uncontrolled environment, it's possible the Yankees opt to have him throw another simulated game or pitch in a "B" game on the back fields of camp instead. Regardless, Cortes looks to be progressing well from the strained right hamstring that resulted in him opting out of the World Baseball Classic, and Yankees manager Aaron Boone has already suggested he anticipates the southpaw will be ready to go when the team requires a fifth starter in the first turn through the Opening Day rotation.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Likely to begin as fifth starter
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Yankees manager Aaron Boone hinted Sunday that Cortes (hamstring) will likely be the fifth starter to begin the season, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
Gerrit Cole is likely to start Opening Day followed by Carlos Rodon and Luis Severino, and then the winner of the competition between Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt would likely start the fourth game. That would give Cortes an extra few days to be ready for the year as he recovers from the strained hamstring that has sidelined him this spring, with Boone telling reporters that he's about a week behind the other arms in the rotation. The left-hander is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut soon, and while his debut may come later than anticipated, Cortes still should be ready to help fantasy managers to begin 2023.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Closing in on spring debut
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Cortes (hamstring) threw a live batting practice session Thursday and estimated that he's running at about 90 percent, MLB.com reports.
Though Cortes' Grade 2 right hamstring strain was deemed serious enough for him to withdraw from pitching for the United States squad in the World Baseball Classic, the injury doesn't look like it'll be anything that keeps him out for more than a week or two of Grapefruit League action. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Cortes is likely to throw one more live batting practice session before potentially making his spring debut during the upcoming week or early next week. Barring any setbacks with the hamstring along the way, Cortes shouldn't face any major workload restrictions by the time Opening Day arrives.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: No issues during bullpen session
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Cortes (hamstring) felt no issues during his bullpen session Friday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.
The southpaw mentioned to Rivera after his workout that he has made "good strides and felt better," and that he was progressing faster than he initially thought. Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports that Cortes tossed 24 pitches in the session and was operating at "70-75 percent" capacity after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that caused him to pull out of the World Baseball Classic. Fantasy managers will want to see how Cortes feels in the coming days, but for now, this appears to be a very positive development.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: To throw bullpen session
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Cortes (hamstring) is slated to throw a bullpen session Friday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Cortes had to pull out of the World Baseball Classic because of a strained right hamstring, but he's feeling much better and should be ready in time for Opening Day, barring any setback. The left-hander put up a superb 2.44 ERA over 28 starts for the Yankees last season.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: On track for start of season
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Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said Wednesday he remains optimistic Cortes (hamstring) will be ready to go for Opening Day, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Earlier this week, Cortes opted out of pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic due to a Grade 2 right hamstring strain. Blake noted that Cortes isn't yet running while he tends to the injury, but the southpaw hasn't completed been shut down from throwing, as he has continued to play catch since reporting from camp. Until the pain in his hamstring subsides a little more, Cortes will likely remain limited to throwing off flat ground before the Yankees clear him for bullpen sessions. Provided he's able to resume mound work by early-to-mid-March, Cortes should be on track to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the regular season.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Out of WBC due to hamstring injury
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Cortes won't pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic after he revealed Monday that he sustaining a low Grade 2 right hamstring strain, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
Cortes' absence during the World Baseball Classic is a significant hit for Team USA, as he was expected to serve as one of the Americans' top starting options. The southpaw noted that he expects to be behind the Yankees' other healthy pitchers for at least a couple weeks as a result of the injury, but he remains hopeful to be ready to go for the start of the regular season, according to Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Cortes' progress over the next month and a half.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Avoids arbitration
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Cortes signed a one-year deal with the Yankees on Friday, avoiding arbitration.
Cortes had an excellent 2022 campaign, his first as a full-time starter, finishing the year with a 2.44 ERA. A .232 BABIP indicates that he benefited from a fair amount of good fortune, but even if he slips back to his 3.12 FIP or 3.48 SIERA, he'll be a very valuable pitcher next season. His 26.5 percent strikeout rate and 6.2 percent walk rate were both solidly better than average, giving reason to have faith in him in 2023 despite his short track record.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Exits with left groin injury
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Cortes was removed from Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros on Sunday due to a left groin injury.
Cortes was visited by a trainer early in Sunday's matchup and remained in the game, but he was removed after allowing a three-run homer with no outs in the top of the third inning. Prior to his departure, he allowed three runs on two hits and three walks while striking out two in two innings. The severity of the issue isn't clear, and whether he's available later in the postseason if the Yankees advance remains to be seen.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Starting Game 5 of ALDS
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Cortes will start Tuesday's Game 5 of the ALDS against Cleveland, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.
The Yankees will be able to deploy Cortes on three days rest after Game 5 was moved to Tuesday due to inclement weather. Jameson Taillon, who was slated to start Monday, figures to be available out of the bullpen if needed.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Available out of bullpen for Game 5
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Cortes will be available out of the bullpen for Game 5 of the ALDS against the Guardians on Monday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Cortes started Game 2 of the ALDS on Friday and allowed two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three in five innings. He didn't factor into the decision and will be available in a relief role on short rest if needed Monday as the Yankees attempt to advance to the ALCS.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Dominates again in win
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Cortes (12-4) earned the win Saturday, allowing one hit and two walks over 7.1 scoreless innings against the Orioles while striking out 12.
Cortes put on a clinic Saturday, striking out seven of the first nine batters he faced while never allowing a runner to reach second base. He generated 20 swinging strikes and dominated Orioles hitters with his four-seamer all afternoon. The left-hander has now pitched 13.1 scoreless innings over his last two starts while allowing just two hits over that stretch. His 12 strikeouts Saturday also matched a career high.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Shuts down Boston
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Cortes (11-4) earned the win during Sunday's 2-0 victory over Boston, allowing one hit while walking two and striking out five in six scoreless innings.
Cortes pitched the whole game as rain forced the contest to go final after six frames and encountered trouble only in the fourth, when a two-out Rob Refsnyder double put runners on second and third. However, he was able to strike out Triston Casas to end the inning. The 27-year-old pitcher's game score of 72 is his highest mark since May 26, as he's continued to pitch well but hasn't gone as deep into games, averaging just under 5.2 innings during 10 second-half starts. Cortes carries a 2.56 ERA and 0.97 WHIP into his next start, scheduled against Baltimore.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Allows one run over five innings
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Cortes did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over five innings against Pittsburgh. He struck out four.
For the second start in a row, Cortes allowed one run over five innings, but he got his pitch count up to 87 after throwing just 65 pitches in his last start. The 27-year-old has failed to record a scoreless outing in eight starts since July 24, but he still owns a healthy 2.67 ERA and 0.97 WHIP through 145 innings this season. He tentatively lines up to face Boston this weekend.
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Yankees' Nestor Cortes: Earns win against Rival Red Sox
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Cortes (10-4) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over five innings in a 5-3 win over Boston. He struck out seven.
Cortes allowed his only run on a double from Connor Wong to cut the Yankees' lead to two in the fifth inning. The lefty has recorded six strikeouts or more in just five of his last 15 starts. On the other hand, the 27-year-old has not allowed a home run in six of his last nine starts, his lowest home-run rate of any nine-game stretch this season.
