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Nestor Cortes hasn’t been available to pitch for the New York Yankees since he was placed on the injured list on Sept. 25. However, manager Aaron Boone told reporters Monday that there is “a good chance” that the Yankees will add one of the staff’s best pitchers to their World Series roster.
“I think there’s a good chance of it. He’s scheduled to throw another live [bullpen session] tomorrow,” Boone said. “So if everything goes well there, I would say there’s a decent chance he could be on the roster, yes.”
As Boone mentioned, Cortes’ availability will depend on how he feels after he throws Tuesday. The left-hander threw a bullpen before Saturday’s Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.
In 31 appearances (30 starts), Cortes finished with a 3.77 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings. Only Carlos Rodón threw more innings among Yankees starting pitchers.
However, Cortes last pitched Sept. 18 after an MRI exam revealed a flexor strain in his left elbow. Prior to that, he had been experiencing tenderness in the elbow for approximately three weeks. But he felt pain while throwing a bullpen session between starts, which led to the MRI.
At the time, that looked like a possibly season-ending issue, considering that flexor strains are often a precursor to torn ligaments that might require reconstructive surgery. But imaging found no damage to Cortes’ ulnar collateral ligament, and rest and rehab were recommended.
With their run to the World Series, the Yankees’ season lasted long enough for Cortes to recover and make his return a likely possibility.
Although Cortes was a starter throughout the season, he’ll likely be available as a reliever in the World Series. He could be a valuable weapon against left-handed batters, who had a .204 average and .530 OPS against him during the season. (Right-handers batted .256 with a .760 OPS against Cortes, so he could be used in any situation.)