The Yankees are grappling with mounting concerns over the performance of left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes, who was once a dependable figure in their starting rotation. He has struggled significantly in recent outings, unable to deliver the solid innings the team has come to expect. Over his last 33 2/3 innings, including Thursday’s 9-4 loss to the Angels at Yankee Stadium, Nestor Cortes has given up 28 earned runs.
A closer look at his last five starts paints an even bleaker picture. During this stretch, Nestor Cortes has recorded a troubling 9.26 ERA, surrendering 24 runs on 34 hits across 23 1/3 innings. In four of these five appearances, he failed to pitch beyond the fifth inning, and he has lost six of his last seven starts.
Despite these troubling numbers, Yankees manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic about the overall state of the team’s starting rotation. Boone expressed unwavering confidence in the current pitching staff, including Nestor Cortes, asserting that the team possesses all the necessary components for success.
Max Goodman reported that the Yankees manager was “very” confident in the team’s starting rotation on Thursday and said: “We have everything we need.”
As for Nestor Cortes, Boone believes the issue isn’t a lack of skill but rather an inconsistency in pitch execution. He noted that the pitcher appears to be in good health and could perform at a high level. Boone also pointed out that each of Nestor Cortes’ last seven starts has been different, with some games marred by poor performance and others by a lack of velocity on his fastball.
“There were a few starts … where it wasn’t great. A couple [of starts] where he didn’t have that extra gear on his heater,” the Yankees manager said about the pitcher’s ugly outing.
Boone’s comments suggest the team is not overly concerned about Nestor Cortes’ recent slump and is confident in his ability to bounce back. However, the stark difference between the pitcher’s current struggles and his past reliability highlights the challenges the Yankees face in stabilizing their pitching rotation.
Nestor Cortes blows out Yankees’ chances
Yankees starter Nestor Cortes had a rough outing against the Angels, tying his season-high by allowing six earned runs and nine hits over just 4 1/3 innings. The Yankees’ offense couldn’t rally to offset the early struggles on the mound.
Nestor Cortes faced challenges with the wet field conditions, which affected his grip on the ball. Although he acknowledged the tough weather, the pitcher refused to use it as an excuse, pointing out that both teams had to contend with the same elements.
“When the rain is on you and you are trying to grip the ball, you have 15 seconds [because of the pitch timer] and it’s just tough to go into your glove,” he said. “And if they call for another pitch that you are not gripping and go to it, it’s tough. It’s no excuse. Both teams had adversity. The Angels were a better team today.”
One of the key issues for Nestor Cortes was his inability to secure quick outs, managing to retire the side in order only once during his time on the mound. The fifth inning proved particularly challenging, with the Angels seizing their chances against him.
After retiring two of the first three batters in the fifth, Nestor Cortes struggled to close out the inning. The Angels capitalized, scoring six runs in the frame. Zach Neto and Logan O’Hoppe reached base, setting up Kevin Pillar, who drove in two runs with a single.
He was relieved by right-hander Enyel De Los Santos, who also encountered difficulties. De Los Santos gave up a bases-clearing double to Jo Adell, who then scored on Mickey Moniak’s single, extending the Angels’ lead to seven runs.
Despite the disappointing result, Yankees manager Aaron Boone found some positives in Nestor Cortes’ performance. Boone praised his mechanics and noted that the Angels were particularly effective in making contact with two strikes. He observed that while the Angels didn’t hit the ball hard against the Yankees star, they managed to put the ball in play, creating traffic on the bases and putting pressure on the Yankees.
“You look up today, the profile was good. The Angels did a good job putting the ball in play,” the Yankees skipper said. “They didn’t sting the ball a ton against him. But especially with two strikes, they were able to touch it and put it in play and dumped some balls out there that just created traffic and some problems. I actually thought Nestor threw the ball OK. He wasn’t giving up a lot of hard contact, but he had a hard time putting guys away. [The Angels] were spoiling pitches. [Cortes] would get two strikes, and he couldn’t finish guys off.”
Boone summed it up as a tough night for the Yankees, expressing that while Nestor Cortes pitched decently, he struggled to finish off batters, with the Angels extending at-bats and spoiling pitches in two-strike situations.
Nestor Cortes has slowed down
At the start of the 2024 season, Nestor Cortes appeared to be back on track, echoing the early success of the entire Yankees rotation. His promising performance offered hope that he might return to his All-Star form from 2022, especially after a 2023 season marred by injuries.
However, recent outings have told a different story for Nestor Cortes, reflecting a broader downturn in the Yankees’ rotation over the last month. Since June 23, he has managed to hold opponents to fewer than three runs in a start just once. His last five appearances have been particularly worrisome, surrendering 24 earned runs over 23 1/3 innings, translating to a concerning 9.26 ERA.
The Yankees’ reported openness to trading Nestor Cortes surprised many, especially when it was revealed that they had considered a potential deal involving Gold Glove shortstop Tommy Edman, contingent on acquiring Jack Flaherty. In the end, the team opted not to make any moves at the trade deadline, choosing not to bolster their starting pitching.
Boone expressed his belief that Nestor Cortes is close to regaining his form, attributing the recent struggles to execution issues rather than a lack of ability. He also noted the need for Marcus Stroman to elevate his performance. Boone emphasized that the team has the talent but needs certain players to step up and deliver at a higher level.
Boone’s unwavering confidence in his pitchers, including Nestor Cortes, might provide the psychological boost needed for a turnaround. However, the true test will be whether this faith translates into results, or if the decision to stand pat at the trade deadline will ultimately hinder the Yankees’ postseason ambitions.
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