Nestor Cortes won’t be part of the New York Yankees’ roster for the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Cleveland Guardians, but he remains a potential option for the World Series if the team advances. Manager Aaron Boone provided an optimistic update on Nestor Cortes’ recovery from a left flexor strain, revealing that the left-hander has made considerable progress since starting his throwing program just over a week ago.
Nestor Cortes excluded from Yankees’ ALCS Roster but could return for World Series
Nestor Cortes has been on the shelf since September 25, but he’s now throwing bullpen sessions and could face hitters this weekend.
Boone stated, “Not quite there yet, but I’m really excited about how his throwing program is going. He’s still just a few days behind.” His comments reflect the team’s cautious approach as they look to maximize Nestor Cortes’ potential impact during the postseason.
Despite missing the ALCS, Nestor Cortes has been putting in the work to return. Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake expressed confidence in Nestor Cortes’ recent sessions, noting, “He threw the ball well. Pretty crisp. The velocity’s in a good spot, lot of shapes, command was good. Feel good about where he’s at.” This feedback suggests that while Nestor Cortes won’t play against the Guardians, he could be a valuable asset if the Yankees make it to the World Series.
In a surprising roster decision, the Yankees cleared injured first baseman Anthony Rizzo for play while leaving Nestor Cortes off the ALCS roster.
Nestor Cortes has been a significant contributor for the Yankees this season, posting a 9-10 record with a solid 3.77 ERA and 3.84 FIP. He has set career highs with 30 starts and 174.1 innings pitched, achieving a 22.8% strikeout rate and a low walk rate of 5.5%. However, he has allowed 24 home runs this season. Notably, Nestor Cortes led all Yankees pitchers with 3.1 fWAR, ranking among the top performers on the team alongside stars like Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.
As the Yankees prepare for their ALCS matchup against the Guardians today at 7:38 PM ET, the anticipation surrounding Nestor Cortes’ recovery will only heighten the stakes of the upcoming games.
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