The Yankees have punched their ticket to the postseason however are going through a probably worrisome harm state of affairs, as lefty Nestor Cortes — who had been slated to start out tonight’s recreation in opposition to the Orioles — is present process an MRI to judge his left elbow, as first reported by Jack Curry of the YES Network.
Assuming that takes him out of consideration to take the mound, the Yanks might go together with Marcus Stroman (who lately moved to the ’pen) or name up an arm from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Right-handers Cody Poteet, Yoendrys Gomez and Will Warren are all on the 40-man roster and all contemporary. Poteet has pitched probably the most large league innings of that trio this season (21) and had probably the most success as properly (2.14 ERA). Curry adds that Poteet is headed to the Bronx, suggesting he’ll get the nod, although there’s no official phrase from the staff simply but.
Cortes, 29, has pitched a career-high 174 1/3 innings within the majors this season and been fairly efficient alongside the best way. He’s began 30 video games (additionally a career-high) and notched a 3.77 earned run common whereas fanning a stable 22.8% of his opponents in opposition to a terrific 5.5% stroll fee. Though he’s a pronounced fly-ball pitcher (31.1% grounder fee), Cortes has scaled again on a number of the residence run troubles which have plagued him in his profession; he entered the season having averaged 1.49 round-trippers per 9 innings pitched however has scaled that again to a extra palatable (however nonetheless increased than common) 1.24 mark in 2024.
It’s not clear that Cortes could be part of the Yankees’ postseason rotation, however he’d actually play a key position within the bullpen even when the staff opted to go together with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and considered one of Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt within the prime three spots. (Cole and Rodon are locks, well being allowing.) Cortes is not any stranger to working in reduction. He’s primarily been a starter in latest seasons however has nonetheless seen 37% of his profession appearances are available a reduction setting.
The Yankees have a pair of veteran left-handed choices within the ’pen regardless, with Tim Hill and Tim Mayza each on the roster, however neither can miss bats on the identical degree as Cortes. Mayza additionally carries alarming platoon splits, making him extra very best for strict left-on-left matchups. Cortes would even be an apparent choice to offer supervisor Aaron Boone some size out of the bullpen within the occasion of a brief begin throughout postseason play.
All of these situations at the moment are on maintain because the Yankees await phrase on Cortes’ apparently ailing elbow. Taking a step again to have a look at the larger image for Cortes himself, a severe harm could be about as poorly timed as doable (not that there’s ever a “good” time for a significant well being setback). He’s headed into his closing offseason of arbitration eligibility and due a increase on this yr’s $3.95MM wage. An harm that threatens a good portion of his 2025 season might go away Cortes as a non-tender candidate, provided that he’s slated to develop into a free agent following the 2025 season. And, if there's something at play that impacts his 2025 availability, that’d clearly reduce brief what must be his platform season upfront of free company, the place he’d stand as a transparent candidate for a multi-year take care of good well being.
