TAMPA, FL. — The Yankees have finally some good news after two big jolts to their rotation plans. Nestor Cortes, who has a hamstring strain, may be back on the mound any day. This was disclosed by manager Aaron Boone said after the Yankees’ first day of spring training for pitchers and catchers on Thursday.
“I’m hoping it’s any day,” Aaron Boone said. “He’s doing pretty well, but I know that’s a daily evaluation. It could be as early as this weekend, but we haven’t made that call yet.”
The latest news about Nestor Cortes boosts the hopes of the Yankees fans for an excellent season in 2023. However, Cortes’ fellow starting pitcher Frankie Montas has no such luck. The Yankees are going to lose him for the entire season, as he is to undergo surgery on February 21.
“Obviously Frankie hurts,” Yankees ace Gerrit Cole told to the press on Thursday. “We want Nestor to be healthy, too.”
On Monday, Nestor Cortes pulled out of Team USA for the World Baseball Classic after he hurt his hamstring while running near his home in South Florida on February 6. The left-handed pitcher, however, has assured fans of returning to the rotation for the regular season.
Following reports of his recent injury on Monday, the starting pitcher called his injury a “twitch” and told reporters outside the Yankees’ player development complex:
“It’s definitely possible to start the season healthy and in the rotation. So I’m hoping that the training staff will help me get there.”
Reports suggested that Nestor Cortes suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which could force him to take rest for a few weeks.
“I thought it was just a cramp, then later that night I went to put on a shoe and felt a little pull there,” Cortes said. “Once I showed up (to Tampa) with a little bruise, the medical staff decided to take control of it.”
The 28-year-old will have plenty of time to get ready for the start of the regular season in late March if he starts throwing off the mound soon. Nestor Cortes is one of four All-Stars in a rotation that, on paper, might be the best in the majors. Last season, his first full one in the majors, the left-handed pitcher made 28 starts and was 12-4 with an earned run average of 2.44.
Nestor Cortes looks like he’ll be back soon, so it looks like the Yankees’ rotation is likely to have Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Severino, Cortes, and either Domingo German or Clarke Schmidt.
“Clarke Schmidt’s my dog and we’ve got some other (replacement options) that are great, too,” Cole said. “Domingo also seems to show up for us.”
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