The Yankees will place left-hander Nestor Cortes on the 15-day injured list prior to tomorrow’s game, according to The Athletic’s Lindsey Adler. Cortes is suffering from a groin injury. As reported earlier today, New York was preparing to place a then-unknown pitcher on the IL to make room for the promotion of minor league right-hander Greg Weissert.
While any pitching injury would’ve been a setback, losing Cortes for any amount of time is a tough blow to the Bronx Bombers. “Nasty Nestor” has been arguably the Yankees’ best starter this season, and one of the better pitchers in all of baseball. After surprisingly emerging as a rotation stalwart in 2021, Cortes has kept on rolling, posting a 2.68 ERA and above-average strikeout (25.9%) and walk (5.8%) rates over 131 innings of work. Despite a low-velocity four-seamer, Cortes’ fastball has been extremely effective, and his cutter isn’t far behind in terms of sheer effectiveness.
Though Cortes’ 131 innings is a new career high for the 27-year old over any pro season, there hasn’t been much sign that Cortes is slowing down, and he was expected to be a big weapon for the Yankees in October. This 15-day IL stint could perhaps serve as a bit of break in terms of keeping Cortes’ arm fresh, though naturally his groin issue is now a new concern. The severity of the injury or a possible timeline for Cortes’ return isn’t yet known.
New York enjoyed a great run of pitching health over the first half of the season, but several injuries have cropped up in recent weeks. The bullpen has taken the brunt of the injury woes, but the rotation hasn’t been immune, with Luis Severino out until mid-September due to a lat strain and now Cortes’ injury. The Yankees acquired Frankie Montas from the A’s at the deadline but also moved Jordan Montgomery to the Cardinals in another trade, plus Domingo German has been a little inconsistent (if generally solid) since making his season debut in July, after shoulder problems kept him on the sidelines.
Clarke Schmidt was recently called back up to the active roster, and the former first-rounder seems like the probable candidate to step into Cortes’ rotation spot. Over 22 games and 45 2/3 career innings at the MLB level in 2020-22, Schmidt has only made three starts, but the Yankees have mostly been using him in long relief this season and were stretching him out at Triple-A.
Bummer. One more reason why they should not have traded Montgomery. Message to Cashman it’s PITCHING and defense that you need to win!!!
With a bullpen arm being called up Weissert and a starting pitcher going on the IL, looks like Schmidt will go into the starting rotation.
@Mick- Yes, Schmidty should of been in that rotation long ago my friend. And the Monty deal was awful, big mistake!
There’s speculation that it’s one of those phantom injuries so they can keep his innings down. Hope so anyways.
As a Jays fan I hope this isn’t true…
As a baseball fan and a fan of Mr Cortes, I hope this is true!
His innings totals aren’t that high.
Yes exactly.it does make the montgomery deal look even worse.i wonder if cashman the spin doctor ,still says everything is still going according to plan.
George would’ve fired Cashman years ago. Hal only cares about making it to the postseason for the extra loot it brings I .
I know. If Monty were still here, the Yankees would be a lock for the World Series.
LOL lock? Nobody is ever a lock.
I believe that comment is meant as a joke.
My bad. Slipped right over my head.
Since the trade Monty is 4-0 with a CG shutout and a 0.35 ERA
He wouldn’t have those numbers on the Yankees
brian cashman is a lost cause and should have been fired years ago. 1 World Series title in 22 years and none in 13 years and counting, despite staggering payrolls- very often the biggest payroll in baseball- year after year after year. Terrible move after terrible move after terrible move. Unbelievable that the Yankees have tolerated 1 World Series in 22 years and brian cashman definitely shouldn’t be brought back next year.
Trading away Montgomery for nothing looks even worse right now. Bader is hurt and is a 4th OF. You need depth and they have no depth.
12 WAR in less than 6 seasons is better than a 4th of
Not really. Average major league starter is 2 war a year.
Average MLB player/pitcher is worth 2 WAR per year. 4th outfielder is probably worth less than 1. Gumby is worth 9.1 bWAR in less than 6 seasons and Bader is worth 11.8 bWAR in less than 6 seasons. I like Gumby, he’s a competitor and I hope he does well in StL, but he’s not the last 4 game player you’re seeing. 4 games pitched before the trade: 6.26 ERA
Looks great for the Cardinals.
He’s in a soft division now and played like crap for NYY leading up to the trade. no regrets here.
And would have never started a playoff game.
He played like crap with New York? He’s been a great number 4-5 starter for the Yankees throughout his career.
LOL he shut down the yankees in his first game in a Cards uni. self-awareness meter: zero.
He beat your Yankees like they stole something!!! Sure, NL central Is a weaker division but you watch what’s coming!! The powerhouse 3 or 4 teams won’t win the WS!
real tough break, but they wanted to limit his pitch count for the rest of the season so this is one way to do it
Very true
It might be a groin injury for Nestor but for the rest of us it’s another groan injury. Ahahaha!
I certainly don’t wish him ill health but as a Sox fan during a miserable season, jealousy had me thinking and laughing at a first round upset with NY going home early. He’s been amazing so seriously, hopefully it’s a short term issue
When it rains, it pours.
One does have to wonder how an organization can trade away all its top pitching prospects, while also trading its #3 SP, and not consider a potential injury to another member of its staff.
However, Schmidt should be able to slide into the rotation and Weissert should be better than almost anyone in the ‘pen right now.
If we are *really lucky* when someone returns, Hicks will be the DFA candidate and we can drop his dead weight like a boulder in the sea.
The Monty trade is looking very suspect right now. Why not try to trade for Bader in the off-season???
Because Bader wouldn’t be available in the off-season. Plantar facitus takes about a year to heal.
It can take a long time but not necessarily a year. Anyone who has had it will certainly remember having to wear different s boots to sit as compared to sleep. It is a painful, slow process be it three, six or twelve months. Anyone need old brace boots? Fortunately in my case, it never came back.
The non 40man prospects were ruleV eligible and they can’t keep them all.
As a Rays fan, I can only LOL at your self-pity. Last year was much worse for you. This year, it is much worse for the Rays (who also do not spend like the NYY, so do not have the option to simply buy players). We have almost an entire rotation…still on the IL; five of our nine starters were out just a few weeks ago, still missing three (and a few bench pieces), including our number one man. Per Nell Carter, gimme a break.
They definitely have the option to buy players and they usually do when they can. Just because the Rays owner sets an artificial budget doesn’t make them somehow amazing when others don’t
They definitely have the option to buy players and they usually do when they can. Just because the Rays’ owner sets an artificial budget doesn’t make them somehow amazing when other teams don’t. He has just as much money as the other owners but won’t spend it.
Artificial budget? Not all teams have NY’s attendance, marketing, insane pricing and TV/radio networks. Tampa does a great job just staying in Tampa…
Oy
St. Louis says thanks for Jordan Montgomery.
To be fair, the Cardinals can have the San Diego Chicken in their rotation when it comes to pitching against the Red, Cubs and Pirates.
Generally like your comments, but assuming from this one you have not seen the Pirates or Cubs lately. They have some players. Yes, they are young and developing, but one does not simply show up and shut those teams out. And you have not watched Monty pitch apparently…I have, and he has been lights out in a Cards uni. Hmm, he even shut down the vaunted Yankees, didn’t he? Can the San Diego Chicken do that?
@Sideline Redwine Oh I’m not dissing Monty. I like him a lot. But I’ve seen plenty of the NL Central this year and it’s absolutely pathetic (outside of the Brewers and Cards). I get it. Those teams are rebuilding and will be good in a few years. I actually think some of the moves have been smart, but this year it’s painful. And the Reds are brutal. I was more insinuating that the Cards didn’t need much help down this stretch.
I’ve been waiting for the Yankees to place Cortes on the
needs-a-rest list
Cole will be the next pitcher to get rested.
only guy not going to get a rest is the one chasing the HR record
Just watched some video of Weissert. He pitches from the 3rd base side of the rubber and closes off the view of the hitters with an extreme tuck of his left shoulder.
Then he throws across his body, hiding the ball well against opponents. He works in to right-handed batters – often tying them up – and he works lefties consistently to the outside corner with a fastball, changeup and backdoor slider.
I think he could be an effective short reliever for the Yankees. Welcome to the big leagues.
BaseballClassic1985,
Thanks for sharing. Like most people I’ve never seen him pitch. I read from one of his past coaches that he’s a bulldog, so that should help. Tired of players not tough enough to play for the Yankees! Yes welcome to the show Greg Weissert!
Shaking and crying so hard rn
0.35 era for Montgomery in 4 starts and 25.2 innings since trade, including a 1 hit complete game gem last time out. Bader has yet to play. IJS
He probably won’t play, either. I’ve had PF twice. While I’m no pro athlete, I am in good shape and it took forever to get over. Dumb move by Cashman.
I’ve usually supported most of Cashman’s moves but trading Montgomery away for a glove first player was stupid
From the Yankee perspective, I am going to go out on a limb, and say it appears the Montgomery trade is beginning to look a tad suboptimal.
It flat out sucks losing Cortes but I’m pretty excited to see what Weissert can do. He has been tearing it up in SWB and he loves to challenge hitters.
He also has an excellent mustache (like Nestor).
Losing JP Sears was also a big loss. Look what he is doing for Oakland and we face him this weekend. Probably shutdown the Yankees! Some real bad moves at the deadline .
The only person who steals more money from the Yankees than Aaron Hicks is the guy who signed him to that extension…Brian Cashman.
They both shouldn’t be part of the Yankees at this point.
Tough break for the Yankee’s
Nestor Cortes is having a nice year,too…
Groin injuries are not good. I can’t imagine this going away anytime soon…
Its the kind of groin injury where they put a band aid on it and…viola…he comes back rested and doesn’t soar past innings limit. And ready for September into October.
What a refreshingly optimistic take from a NYY fan! As a fan of the division rival cellar dweller, I say “Boooo”
No problem. Nestor hasn’t been that important to them this year.
BMI = 29.3
Anything over 25 increases chances of injury with no increase in performance. Too many baseball players are “overweight” by BMI standards and that’s one of the biggest reasons there are so many injuries. It’s been studied and shown, but baseball stays in the dark ages.
Did you apply to be the Yank’s strength and conditioning coach? You have my support, where do I mail the recommendation letter?
I’m not sure why everyone is getting up in arms about losing Montgomery. As a Yankee fan, I was shocked they traded away pitching depth but his July was not that good. His last four games with the Yankees he was averaging almost four earned runs per start and had a hard time getting into the fifth inning. So, not that impressive.
Now that he’s won four games with the Cards everyone is crying about losing him. Let’s not forget who his opponents where. He got the Yankees in the midst of an epic hitting slump. Then he faced the Brewers who aren’t lighting it up (they may even miss the playoffs). Then he faced the Rockies who are nothing more than a door mat and then the Cubs who are not much of a team. Let’s see how he does with the Braves, Dodgers, and Padres before we put this guy in the HOF.
I agree but I’d still rather have him than Bader. Then again maybe Bader will eventually take significant playing time away from that clown Aaron Hicks so I see that as a W.
Almost anyone is better than Hicks. Outside of a one-legged bling man, I would try anyone in his place.
Darth always with the good takes on MLBTR
But in all seriousness… how that Pablo Lopez trade work out?! Lmao… or what about Montas??
Arrrrrgh…my groin!
Two relievers who aren’t fooling anyone anymore:
-Aroldis Chapman. Actually has mostly sucked since some time last year.
Kenley Jansen. Those funky Nestor Cortes hesitations aren’t fooling anyone anymore, as you walk and hit batters like in Saturday’s game against the Braves. (Met fans thank you)