Bronx bits: Yankees’ travel twist, Cortes’ comeback, two Hank Aaron nominations

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Nestor Cortes, the New York Yankees’ left-handed pitcher, is showing signs of progress in his recovery from a left elbow flexor strain. After a successful catch session on Sunday, Cortes felt encouraged enough to continue throwing on Monday, raising hopes that he could return if the Yankees advance further into the playoffs.

Manager Aaron Boone shared positive feedback from Sunday’s workout, noting that Cortes’ performance heartened the coaching staff. The pitcher had been sidelined for 10 days after being diagnosed during the final week of the regular season before resuming throwing activities.

“I know [Sunday] went well,” Boone told. “Everyone was encouraged by how it was. I know [Sunday] was encouraging enough to know that at some point, it (return) could be a possibility.

Cortes’ return to the active roster will depend on how he responds to a gradual increase in his throwing regimen. His rehabilitation plan will likely involve multiple bullpen sessions and facing live batters before the team considers activating him.

With the American League Championship Series set to begin next Monday, Cortes faces a tight timeline for recovery. However, if the Yankees make it to the World Series, which starts on October 25, he would have additional time to prepare for a potential return.

Boone indicated that if Cortes rejoins the active roster during the postseason, he would likely serve as a relief pitcher. Despite this shift from his usual starting role, the manager emphasized that Cortes could still be a valuable asset to the bullpen.

Expressing cautious optimism, Boone acknowledged that Sunday’s encouraging session has opened the door for Cortes’ potential return during the playoffs. This development adds an intriguing dynamic to the Yankees’ pitching strategy as they advance through the postseason.

Yankees’ unusual travel plan

The New York Yankees have opted for an unusual travel arrangement following their Monday night game. Rather than immediately flying to Kansas City, the team decided to hold a workout at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday before departing in the afternoon for Wednesday’s Game 3.

Manager Aaron Boone explained that this strategy allows players to sleep in their own beds and take advantage of familiar facilities. He noted that traveling after Game 2 would have led to a late arrival in Kansas City, around 3 a.m. Tuesday. While this plan means forgoing a workout at Kauffman Stadium, Boone believes players can achieve more at their home venue.

“This way we sleep in our own beds,” the Yankees skipper said. “We get to use our own facilities and guys can get a lot more done here than they would there. There might have also been some hotel issues [Monday night] with the Chiefs playing “Monday Night Football” [in Kansas City].”

Boone also mentioned potential lodging challenges in Kansas City due to the Chiefs’ Monday Night Football game, which influenced their decision.

Judge, Soto for Hank Aaron Award

On the awards front, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto have been named finalists for the Hank Aaron Award, which honors the top offensive performer in each league during the regular season. The Yankees captain previously won this award in 2022 after breaking the American League single-season home run record with 62 home runs.

The Yankees are one of four teams with two finalists for the award, joining the Baltimore Orioles (Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander), Los Angeles Dodgers (Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman), and Philadelphia Phillies (Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber). Each league features a total of ten finalists for this prestigious recognition.

This news underscores the Yankees’ strategic approach to postseason logistics while also highlighting the individual offensive talents present within their roster.

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