Yankees left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes, who was set to start tonight’s game against the Orioles, will undergo an MRI on his pitching elbow, as reported by YES Network’s Jack Curry.
This season, Cortes has a record of 9-10 with a 3.77 ERA and was being considered for a potential Game 3 postseason start alongside Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt.
Although he had been skipped in the rotation recently, Cortes was still a contender for the role and likely would have contributed as a multi-inning reliever, drawing on his experience from before his breakout as a starter in 2021.
However, with the season winding down, the MRI news raises questions about his availability for any postseason role.
Curry also mentioned that Cody Poteet is expected to arrive at Yankee Stadium as a possible replacement for Cortes. Poteet made four starts for the Yankees earlier this year before being sidelined with a right triceps strain in June.
Recently activated off the IL and sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he threw 72 pitches in his last game and is prepared to handle a typical starter’s workload if needed tonight, as the Yankees aim to clinch the AL East title.
Marcus Stroman is also available to start if required. The decision is now official, with Poteet replacing Cortes and Stroman starting tonight.
Cortes’ 15-day IL stint means he will not be available for the ALDS, requiring the Yankees to adjust their postseason strategy accordingly.
