Yankees Injury News: Nestor Cortes hit by second rotator cuff strain, season in jeopardy

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In a blow to the New York Yankees, left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes finds his 2023 season on uncertain ground as he grapples with a second rotator cuff strain. The incident, reported on August 11th, 2023 at 5:11 pm CST, has prompted a series of adjustments within the team’s roster.

The Yankees have moved quickly to recalibrate their pitching lineup. Right-handers Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez have been recalled to bolster the team’s pitching strength. This strategic maneuver was made possible by the decision to option left-hander Nick Ramirez to Triple-A the previous day. Meanwhile, Nestor Cortes’ injury has necessitated his placement on the 15-day injured list, a move that has been retroactively applied from August 8th.

Cortes’ assessment of his situation sheds light on the path ahead. Despite ruling out surgery as a consideration, he revealed that he will cease all throwing activities for approximately one month. This information was relayed by Brendan Kuty of the Athletic. Given the projected timeline, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone conceded that Cortes’ return to the field for the remainder of the season seems improbable. However, the door to his participation in the current year has not been entirely closed, as indicated by comments from Erik Boland of Newsday.

This year’s campaign has proven to be a challenging journey for Cortes, who earned an eighth-place finish in the Cy Young rankings just the previous year. His troubles began with a hamstring strain in February, sidelining him from the World Baseball Classic and stalling his preparation for the season ahead. Despite making a return at the beginning of the season, Cortes’ performance in 11 starts did not mirror the team’s hopes. A fresh blow hit him in early June when a rotator cuff strain set him back by approximately two months.

Cortes made a triumphant return from his rehabilitation recently, but the celebration was short-lived. He managed only a four-inning appearance before his injury resurfaced. With a mandated month-long hiatus looming and the prospect of a subsequent rehabilitation process, the likelihood of a recurring absence remains high. The Yankees are now faced with a tight schedule, as there are less than two months left in the regular season, casting doubt on Cortes’ chances of returning to the mound.

Cortes’ statistics in the current season depict a mixed bag of results. Over the span of 12 starts, he has maintained a 4.97 ERA across 63 1/3 innings. This performance is a far cry from his impressive 2.44 ERA achieved in the previous year, a regression that was somewhat anticipated. Despite this, Cortes’ ability to strike out over a quarter of his opponents and maintain a solid 7.5% walk rate remains a highlight. The less favorable outcomes can be attributed to an increase in home runs and a rise in the average on balls in play against him.

At 28 years old, Cortes’ financial position is rooted in his $3.2 million arbitration salary for this season. While a modest pay raise awaits him in the upcoming winter, he still remains eligible for arbitration for two more cycles. Even in the event of his absence this season, the Yankees project Cortes as a pivotal component of their starting rotation for the anticipated 2024 season.

What’s next?

The Yankees’ immediate pitching landscape is fraught with uncertainty due to a series of injuries. Frankie Montas has been sidelined for a significant part of the season, and both Carlos Rodón and Cortes have grappled with recurring setbacks. Notably, Gerrit Cole has emerged as a standout performer, and Clarke Schmidt has demonstrated resilience after a challenging April. Nevertheless, the remainder of the rotation has faced considerable challenges.

Luis Severino’s lackluster performance, characterized by an 8.06 ERA across 14 outings, has posed a dilemma for the team. Under different circumstances, Severino might have been removed from the rotation; however, owing to a multitude of injuries, his position remains intact. Manager Aaron Boone indicated that Severino is likely to be given another opportunity to start against Atlanta on Tuesday. In the interim, the rotation is set to be fortified by Brito and Vásquez.

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