The New York Yankees are closing in on a potential World Series appearance, just two wins away from clinching the American League pennant. If they do advance, they may get a valuable piece of their pitching staff back: left-hander Nestor Cortes. Cortes has been out since mid-September after suffering a flexor strain in his left elbow, but recent updates on his recovery offer hope for a return during the Fall Classic.
Nestor Cortes making encouraging progress
Yankees manager Aaron Boone spoke positively about Nestor Cortes‘ progress, saying on Wednesday that the pitcher has resumed throwing and could become a realistic option for the World Series roster. “He’s got steps to go and has to continue feeling good and bouncing back, but the way it’s gone so far has been encouraging,” Boone said. While Boone stopped short of confirming Cortes’ availability, he emphasized that the timeline for his recovery lines up with the World Series schedule, making it a possibility if the team advances.
Nestor Cortes began playing catch about a week ago and recently threw 10 to 15 pitches in both a bullpen session and live batting practice. If everything goes according to plan, Cortes could face hitters again over the weekend, putting him in a position to be ready for the World Series, should the Yankees get there. His injury initially seemed like it could be season-ending, but the relatively quick recovery suggests the strain was not as severe as initially feared.
Nestor Cortes has been an important part of the Yankees’ rotation this season, leading the team with 174 1/3 innings pitched and posting a 3.74 ERA. While it’s unlikely he would return as a starter, given the time needed to build up his arm, Cortes could be used in a relief role. The Yankees’ bullpen is currently thin on left-handed options, with Tim Hill being the only trusted lefty. Cortes’ ability to generate strikeouts against left-handed batters makes him a valuable potential addition, particularly in high-leverage situations.
The Yankees’ starting rotation for the postseason has been anchored by Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil. If Cortes returns, he would likely fill a long-relief role, giving the team more flexibility in managing its pitching staff during the series.
In addition to Nestor Cortes, the Yankees have already welcomed back first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who returned from two broken fingers suffered at the end of the regular season. After missing the ALDS, Rizzo is now contributing in the ALCS, going 3-for-7 with a double in the first two games against the Cleveland Guardians.
With a 2-0 lead over the Guardians in the ALCS, the Yankees are in a strong position to advance to the World Series. Teams with a 2-0 lead in best-of-seven series have historically gone on to win 84% of the time. If they succeed, having Nestor Cortes back in the mix could be a significant boost to their bullpen depth as they chase their first championship since 2009.
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