Nestor Cortes won’t start against Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday

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Sunday was Nestor Cortes‘ poorest opening of the year. Aaron Boone said on Wednesday that the player was dealing with strep throat, which “probably played a role” in the game. This too has forced the Yankees to reschedule Nestor Cortes’ Saturday start against the Tampa Bay Rays to Monday against Oakland.

Nestor Cortes’ throat issue

In Texas, Nestor Cortes allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings and the Yankees lost the game 15-2. After the game, it was discovered that the starter had a throat infection. He reported feeling better, but the Yankees decided to delay his next start.

Instead of starting Saturday’s game in Tampa Bay, Nestor Cortes will start Monday’s home game against the Athletics.

After the Yankees’ series with Oakland concludes, they will host the Rays. Nestor Cortes will get an opportunity to showcase his skill against them on his next turn through the rotation.

This weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida, Gerrit Cole will start in place of the placed Cortes. Jhony Brito and Domingo German will start for the Yankees against the first-place Rays in the three-game on-road series at Tropicana Field.

Nestor Cortes lacked energy

After allowing five hits and four walks against the Rangers on Sunday, Nestor Cortes’ ERA rose from 3.49 to 4.91.

“Didn’t quite have the same kind of energy he normally has,” Boone told about the popular starter as the Yankees beat the Guardians, 4-3.

Reliever Ron Marinaccio pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He retired the side’s five batters. This season, opponents have hit .089 this season (four for forty-five) against the righty pitcher.

According to general manager Brian Cashman, Carlos Rodon will consult a specialist for his back on Thursday. His back and left shoulder are both giving him trouble. While the Yankees have the left-handed pitcher under contract for the next six years, he has yet to make an appearance for the team. Because throwing hurts his back, he hasn’t been able to bulk up.

“There’s a little restriction in there,” Cashman said. “We want to make sure that we aren’t missing something before we completely ramp up.”

Boone has said that the Yankees anticipate gaining clarity on their future steps in a few days. Instead of beginning his rehab assignment this week, Luis Severino (right lat strain) will throw live batting practice to the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. The Yankees, according to a club spokesman, are eager to “control the environment.”

Severino will make his start at either Steinbrenner Field or a minor league. Giancarlo Stanton, who is nursing a strained left hamstring, did some light jogging exercises on the field before the game. Stanton has been focusing on defense, hitting, and feeling well, according to Boone.

“Hopefully, couple more weeks [to] get into a rehab [assignment], whatever it is,” Boone said.

Tommy Kahnle, the right-handed pitcher who has been out with a biceps injury, will throw another simulated game on Thursday. When he is ready, the Yankees plan to insert him into the lineup later this month, according to Boone.

For the months of March and April, Cole was named the AL’s Pitcher of the Month. After the month of April 2021, this is Cole’s second time winning this award while playing for the Yankees. Cole was 5-0 with a 1.11 ERA in 40 2/3 innings over the months of March and April while starting six games.

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