The New York Yankees need all the pitching help they can handle with Luis Severino struggling, Domingo German on the restricted list, and Carlos Rodon having recently tweaked his hamstring.
Nestor Cortes had returned last week after a long absence while dealing with a left rotator cuff strain.
After a strong four-inning outing against the Houston Astros last Thursday, in which he allowed just one run in four frames while striking out eight, the Yankees announced that Cortes will be returning to the injured list with the same shoulder problem.
Nestor Cortes Jr. is headed back to the injured list with a left rotator cuff strain pic.twitter.com/qwM3tmr8sh
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) August 11, 2023
It’s heartbreaking news for a team that is still clinging to the dream of somehow making the postseason.
Without Rodon, Frankie Montas, German, and with Severino as one of the worst pitchers in the game, it’s looking less likely by the day.
According to what Yankees insider Bryan Hoch reported, Cortes will have three or four weeks of no throwing and still hopes to return this year.
“It’s definitely tough. If we’re going to make a run at it, we need everyone healthy, not only myself but Rodón and all the other pitchers,” he said, according to Hoch.
Nestor Cortes said he will have 3-4 weeks of no throwing. He is hoping to return this season. “It’s definitely tough. If we’re going to make a run at it, we need everyone healthy, not only myself but Rodón and all the other pitchers.”
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) August 11, 2023
Cortes is one of the most competitive players on the Yankees roster.
After years of failures and rejections, he worked tirelessly into making himself a highly efficient pitcher.
No one is more disappointed at this outcome than Cortes himself.
Perhaps when he is ready to return, the Yankees will be out of the postseason race.
If they are still in the thick of things, however, he could potentially return next month.
NEXT: The Yankees Keep Dropping Games Against Weaker Competition
