Last week, on August 25, the New York Yankees placed left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes on the 15-day injured list retroactive to August 22.
The issue he had to deal with was a left groin strain.
There were never really too many details about Cortes’ injury, but now, we know that he feels better and is on his way back.
“Nestor Cortes Jr. is on track to throw a bullpen on Wednesday and then will likely throw live in Tampa on Saturday, and then would likely be activated if all goes well, and slide back into the rotation, per Aaron Boone,” ESPN’s Marly Rivera tweeted.
Nestor Cortes Jr. is on track to throw a bullpen on Wednesday and then will likely throw live in Tampa on Saturday, and then would likely be activated if all goes well, and slide back into the rotation, per Aaron Boone. #Yankees
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) August 29, 2022
He Is On Track To Return Next Week
He will have to ace both tests, the bullpen and the live batting practice session, in order to be considered for a return to the rotation, but everything seems to indicate he feels good at the moment.
Whether he was actually injured or the Yankees just wanted him to take a break, Cortes seems to be very close to making a return.
If the plan pans out, Cortes will be an option to start one of next week’s games against the Minnesota Twins.
Cortes has been a legitimate weapon from the Yankees rotation this season.
Without truly overpowering stuff, he has managed to keep a 2.68 ERA in 131 innings, with a 0.96 WHIP.
He also has 133 strikeouts, slightly more than one per inning, and is now a clear-cut 1A option to Gerrit Cole in the Yankees rotation.
The sliding Yankees, who lost their third consecutive game on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels, certainly need him in the middle of their rotation after dealing fellow left-handed Jordan Montgomery.
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