As of Tuesday night, the New York Yankees were riding high with a 12-3 record and just one win away from securing the AL East title. While no one was guaranteeing a victory in the series opener against the Orioles, few expected a crushing loss paired with significant injury news.
The Yankees fell to the Orioles 5-3, missing numerous chances to score, while the Orioles clinched a playoff spot and celebrated in the Bronx. It’s not the end of the world for the Yankees—if they win the next game, they can still respond to the celebration.
However, reports emerged Wednesday morning that Nestor Cortes, scheduled to start that night, would be undergoing an MRI on his pitching elbow. Last year, the left-hander faced shoulder issues that severely limited his play, but it seemed he had overcome any major setbacks.
Cortes has made a career-high 31 appearances and 30 starts this season, posting a solid 3.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 174 1/3 innings. While he wasn’t guaranteed a spot in the postseason rotation, he was considered a valuable asset for manager Aaron Boone to utilize in various situations. Now, his availability is uncertain.
The Yankees are facing troubling news as Nestor Cortes, who was set to start tonight, is undergoing an MRI on his left elbow. Cortes has been exceptional lately, allowing just one earned run in 15 1/3 innings, making him a key asset for the postseason, whether as a reliever or a starter. #yankees #cortes
According to YES Network’s Jack Curry, Cortes will obviously miss Wednesday’s game, and Cody Poteet is reportedly on his way to New York. It’s likely he will take the mound, possibly followed by a lengthy bullpen session.
This situation is far from ideal for the Yankees. Cortes was their hottest pitcher, building important momentum as the postseason approached. New York had the advantage of strong pitching depth, but now it’s looking considerably thinner, especially if reports about the severity of Cortes’s injury hold true.
With uncertainty surrounding Nestor Cortes’s condition, Cody Poteet is expected to arrive in the Bronx today.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) September 25, 2024
Cortes surrendered only one run and seven hits in his last 15 1/3 innings, helping the Yankees secure victories in all three games. He also recorded an impressive 18 strikeouts in matchups against the Cubs, Red Sox, and Mariners.
If Cortes can avoid significant surgery, he should be available for the 2025 season, which fans are certainly hoping for. However, it appears he is likely to miss the rest of 2024, as time is running out for him to recover.
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