Inside The Pinstripes

New York Yankees Provide Promising Update on Injured Hurler

New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes is trending in the right direction from injury.

Grant Young

Sep 12, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) walks to the dugout in the middle of the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Sep 12, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) walks to the dugout in the middle of the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
In this story:

The New York Yankees took a 1-0 lead in the ALCS against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday after securing a 5-2 victory.

New York was propelled by left-handed starter Carlos Rodón, who pitched an elite 6 innings of work where he conceded just 1 earned run and amassed 9 strikeouts.

While one Yankees left-handed starter was the ALCS Game 1 hero, another Yankees left-handed starter is still on the mend from injury.

Nestor Cortes suffered a flexor strain in his left elbow on September 25 and has not pitched since. While the 29-year-old was left off the Yankees' ALCS roster, an October 14 article from SNY's Phillip Martinez provided positive news about his potential return.

"Boone and the Yankees are encouraged by what they've seen in the southpaw's recovery from a flexor strain," Martinez wrote.

"Boone said that there was a 'little bit' of consideration to put him on the ALCS roster but ultimately felt Cortes wasn't there yet," he continued.

"'Really excited how his throwing program’s gone since he started,' Boone said in the article. 'He threw his first pen yesterday, which went well. He felt good today, throwing another bullpen on Wednesday. If that goes well he can do another live over the weekend.

"'He’s still a few days behind being ready for this series, probably. We’re very encouraged by how it’s going so far,'" Boone continued in the article.

Martinez then added, "If Cortes continues to progress in his throwing program without issue, he can be a piece for a potential World Series roster spot."

While Cortes might be a trade asset for New York this offseason, it appears that he may still have a chance to make an impact this postseason.

Published
Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, and Women’s Basketball for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco, where he also played Division 1 baseball for five years. He believes Mark Teixeira should have been a first ballot MLB Hall of Fame inductee.

Home/News