The Yankees announced they’ve recalled right-handers Jhony Brito and Randy Vásquez. One roster spot was opened when left-hander Nick Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A yesterday. The other corresponding move is lefty Nestor Cortes landing on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to August 8, with a left rotator cuff strain.
Cortes told reporters that while surgery isn’t under consideration, he’ll be shut down from throwing entirely for around one month (relayed by Brendan Kuty of the Athletic). Given that timetable, skipper Aaron Boone acknowledged it’s unlikely the southpaw will make it back this season, though the club hasn’t officially ruled him out for the year (via Erik Boland of Newsday).
The ’23 campaign has been exceedingly frustrating for last year’s eighth-place Cy Young finisher. Cortes strained his hamstring in February, knocking him out of the World Baseball Classic and putting him behind the eight ball in his ramp-up. He was able to return by the start of the season but didn’t pitch as well as anticipated through 11 starts. During the first week of June, Cortes suffered a rotator cuff strain that wound up costing him around two months.
He returned from that rehab last weekend but managed only one four-inning outing before the injury resurfaced. Given the month-long shutdown and need to subsequently restart the rehab process, it seems a similar absence could be on the table. With less than two months to go in the regular season, there might not be enough time for him to return to the mound.
Cortes has made 12 starts overall, working to a 4.97 ERA over 63 1/3 frames. It’s a far cry from last year’s 2.44 ERA, though that always seemed likely to regress. Cortes still struck out over a quarter of opponents with a solid 7.5% walk percentage, with a spike in home runs and an uptick in the average on balls in play against him contributing to the less impressive results.
The 28-year-old is playing this season on a $3.2MM arbitration salary. He’ll receive a raise — albeit a fairly modest one — on that next winter and is eligible for arbitration twice more. Even if he can’t make it back this season, Cortes should be a key part of the projected starting staff heading into 2024.
New York’s short-term rotation outlook is far less settled. Injuries have cost Frankie Montas the season to date and shelved Cortes and Carlos Rodón on multiple occasions. Gerrit Cole has been phenomenal and Clarke Schmidt has settled in after a rocky April, but the rest of the group has struggled.
Luis Severino has been one of the worst pitchers in the league, posting an 8.06 ERA across 14 outings. Were the Yankees in a better position, they quite likely would’ve bumped him from the rotation by now. With so many injuries, Severino has tenuously held his rotation spot. Boone told reporters this afternoon he’s likely to get another start on Tuesday against Atlanta (via Bryan Hoch of MLB.com). Brito and Vásquez are likely to fill out the rotation for now.
Captain-Judge99
What Nestor do now, cough? Smh
Dr2022
Just when you thought he could not get any worse with his team. The worst part is, now we are doomed to continue to see the worst pitcher in baseball, Severino, continue to pitch blowouts for the Yankees
Captain-Judge99
Alright Hamilton! Wth, is Vasquez or Brito at tonight? Are they hurt to? Smh
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Poor Uncle Nestor, maybe you can just pitch him on Wednesday and rest him on Lurch? Maybe that’s where he got his 2 black eyes?
Dr2022
No, but they will be soon. They’re going to be over used, since we are out of starting pitching
CravenMoorehead
Too bad Brian Cashman can’t go on the IL with smol dicc syndrome
Captain-Judge99
Or maybe Trashman, has a case of Captain Morgan Disease? Considering their resemblance.
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Go to straight boot length or bell bottoms, avoid the cuffs.
No cuffs, no strain
Deadguy
Advertisement is like “You know there’s a surgery for that? Oh don’t like the knife fine take this pill then?”
filihok
Muted
Fever Pitch Guy
Captain – Is there any chance Nestor has been hanging with Chris Sale recently?
Captain-Judge99
Fever- what type of injury for Sale? Was he showering and shaving, also? Lol
vtadave
Sale has a no-hitter going…through 2 innings.
cleveland_spider
When a dude loses his crap over a uniform decision…a fever, chills, stiff wind, or partly cloudy day would do Sale in.
LordD99
Yuck. Fun pitcher. Give him full rest until 2024.
A'sfaninLondonUK
Agree with you there @LordD99. They need him back fully healthy for next year. This one has been (a relative) wash out for the Yanks
Captain-Judge99
Nestor Cortés season, like the Yankees is over.
EasternLeagueVeteran
Where’s Deivi when you need him?
( even if he isn’t a prospect anymore, at least he is a warm body…)
Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
It was probably due to the balk like moves he likes to do.
Deadguy
Played Catch with Clarke Kent? Kryptonite got his whole season spent?
nukeg
Apparently Nestor identifies as an Angel.
Joe says...
*Sigh*
top jimmy
Put a fork in them. The Yankees are done.
CravenMoorehead
They were done months ago but can’t say I’m surprised. That’s what happens when your incompetent GM puts together a roster of injury prone, overpaid jabronis hovering around the Mendoza line.
Captain-Judge99
When Judge got hurt, they should of traded for Bellinger right away, the Cubs would of definitely traded him at that time, since they we’re out of the race.
CravenMoorehead
Captain- knowing Cashman he probably overvalued his trade pieces (prospects) as usual
Captain-Judge99
Craven- it should definitely be really exciting at the stadium tonight, for loyal fans that still think the Yankees have a chance at a wild card.
alwaysgo4two
He who hesitates….
Captain-Judge99
Stays in last place…
vtadave
Yeah I’m sure the Cubs would have jumped at a Frazier/Andujar offer
Captain-Judge99
@vtadave- Can’t you go watch Chris Sale go blow that no-hitter’s he throwing, and stop trolling?
larkraxm
Cash man taking lots of heat as usual. Are you all sure ownership would allow Cash man to add payroll? I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t.
Dr2022
You are making them sound better than they are, and I did not think that was possible.lmao
Curly Was The Smart Stooge
Put a straw in them, so they can suck it up…
Rsox
Maybe they are faking injuries so they don’t have to watch Boone make a jackass out of himself almost every game…
Joe says...
LOL
Dr2022
I doubt that. I think they probably enjoy it, one of the few bright spots of the season for the team
thegreatgoodbye
Just sit Cortes, Rodon, Judge for the rest of the season. No reason to try and mess up the future
acoss13
Have them all get their rehabs or surgery taken care of and have them ready for 2024. 2023 is a wash.
Captain-Judge99
Just sit Hal, Trashman, and the Jackass with no chair! Captain out!
Captain-Judge99
There is no bigger dope on a rope then Aaron Boone, except maybe little stevie now!
Captain-Judge99
Maybe, Luis Rojas or Mel Rojas can manage the rest of the season for the Yankees instead of this jackass!
acoss13
Boone continues to parrot what Cashman tells him.
Captain-Judge99
No Hal is the real idiot, too bad he can’t sell himself to the devil.
acoss13
Does Cashman have some kind of incriminating information on Hal? I mean why else would Cashman still be supported by Hal…
iverbure
Probably because he has multiple World Series rings…
Rsox
Only one of which did he actually build the team that won (’09) the other 3 he road the coattails of Gene Michael and Bob Watson who built the main core of the ’98-’00 teams
iverbure
Good thing that success in baseball is measured beyond WS rings because after all the mlb playoffs are a complete crapshoot.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Oh really? How is that now?
texgal01
If things continue for Yankees this season and do not reach playoffs could changes come say perhaps is Boone job in jeopardy. Judge being out. For 42 games this season. Not sure if this latest injury stems from his former. Judge looks nothing like was for historic season last year.
i am not a Yankee fan but am curious if this fall somewhat with injuries to pitchers and Judge or such put changes ahead for Yankees with Boone or coaches and such even.
thegreatgoodbye
Boone is not the manager. Boone is a puppet. Cashman the Yankee GM cannot be a coach bc the players wouldn’t respect him. So Cashman needed a former coach or a former player who could do his bidding. Most former coaches are not interested in not having a voice so Cashman went with a former player. Boones job is literally to make the players be OK with doing what Cashman wants and speaking to the media. If Cashman fires Boone he will just replace him with Boone 2.0
161River
Unreal, This should be on the medical team and Cashman for rehab malpractice.
CravenMoorehead
Lol he peeked his head in the room and was like “Nah fam I think my shoulder hurts”
Monkey’s Uncle
I guess that you can indeed strain a rotator cuff while waving the white flag on the season.
CravenMoorehead
Lololol at this point they’re playing to stay out of last place in the division
Captain-Judge99
You know what man? Let’s Go Fish!
mrmackey
In other news, Lizzo will be singing the national anthem at the next Yankee home game.
DCartrow
Oh!! I was watching the Japanese sports programming and I thought I heard ’em say Rizzo was singing it.
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
They probably need to create a new door for Lizzo.
Captain-Judge99
Nah they need to create a new roof so Lizzo can fly in. Poor Chopper, it will never be the same. Good luck with the landing for that anthem!
In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani
Would she even want to sing thr national anthem to begin with? Lol
Mikenmn
I’d hang on to Severino. I’d be careful with Judge. Careful with Rondon. Be thankful we didn’t give away younger “talent” at the deadline. And keep my sights on 2026, when perhaps Yankees with have a new manager and GM.
Blue Baron
The Yankees don’t have a player named Rondon.
Captain-Judge99
Blue Baron, yes the Yankees actually do have a pitcher on their roster named Rodone though.
Blue Baron
@Captain-Judge99: Obviously.
Actually RODON, and you probably know that. But not RONDON, as Mikenmn said.
It’s not a small detail, as there have recently been players named Rondon in MLB.
Mikenmn
I confess i made a foolish mistake in spelling his name, and I promise to be more careful in the future. I’m deeply grateful for people like Blue Baron .
M.C.Homer
We’ll trade you our Ren-done straight up…
Blue Baron
@Mikenmn: And I am continually amazed by the stupidity of people like Mikenmn.
Mikenmn
MMMMMM, pass, but thanks for the offer,
Mikenmn
What’s wrong with you? Why do you act like this?
Blue Baron
@Mikenmn: Good question. Why do you act like this? Google and Baseball Reference are your friends.
Mikenmn
Tell you what, Blue Baron, Let’s call it a game after five innings and give you the win.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Why? Cole, Rodon, Nestor, Schmidt, German/Vasquez/Brito/FA signing. Spend that $10M+ Sevy will earn in free agency on CF or LF.
Blue Baron
They have more issues to deal with than that.
Dr2022
I bet they bring Severino back
Dr2022
Unfortunately, never
Captain-Judge99
Thinking Lizzo wouldn’t be able to fit in the stadium, so that’s probably not happening.
kma
Lizzo so fat you got to roll her in flour to find the wet spot.
mrmackey
I think you might also need a forklift.
Captain-Judge99
Or a machine that could shrink her
CravenMoorehead
Lizzo be Cecil Fielder’s illegitimate daughter
Captain-Judge99
Yes, but if Lizzo was able to fit on the field somehow you still gotta dh her, because she might try to eat lst base. When Lizzo was playing it certainly would be must eat TV.
Endar Malkovich
Mark my words. The Yankees will never win a championship again as long as Hal steinbrenner owns this team. There are 3 problems with this team.
1. The fans who support a broken product
2. The owner
3. The front office
Dr2022
Obviously
Yanks2
They haven’t even been to World Series since 09, let alone win one
DarkSide830
Gotta love Yankees fans treating their 59-56 team like they are the ’62 Mets.
iverbure
Yeah god forbid there’s not a tanking team in the AL east. Like there always was in the east the last 20 years.
Yankeesforever
Yankees are going to make the postseason.
Watch out.
JPR
when?
Yankeesforever
I’ll let you know
Dr2022
I hope not
rocky7
Nasty Nestor was always a question mark due to his workload which because of last years innings are coming back to bite the Yankees in the arsenal……he was never going to be able to pitch 175+ innings which as a #3 he would have to be able to pitch…….again the Yankees fail.
mrmackey
Is Blake Snell a #4 or #5 then because he’s only managed to top the magical 175 threshold once.
poor leo
Bottom line, the Yankees have been one World Series in 20 years… They have won one World Series in 23 years… they make the playoffs almost every year, but they should ..For the last 20 years they’ve been in the top three in payroll … and the top two payrolls, 75% of the last 20 years…. still, Cashman has not held accountable for all the terrible signings and Trade he’s made over this period of time…..
iverbure
The playoffs are a crapshoot
10centBeerNight
NYY not dealing expiring contracts at deadline to reload for 2024 is one of the biggest head scratchers.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Yankees probably had some numbers guy tell them that they would make more money sheepishly vying for contention over waving the white flag on the season.
Dr2022
Elementary my dear bleacher creatures.
By the way, what happened to you, on that other blog. I only saw you there once.
It’s a pretty good one, some there are really quite knowledgeable, and witty. And mostly
Are quite respectful.
YankeesBleacherCreature
I was part of that blog site since its inception. It actually was a migration from another one. I left when they made Tanya a managing editor – an insufferable one. Harlan and Andrew were only commenters then. Anyway I went over to RAB (rip).
Stan Not the Man
Severino starting against Atlanta?! Fuhgedaboutit!!! Run to Fanduel,Draft Kings etc.
Captain-Judge99
Yeah Sevvy is so weird he’ll probably go throw a perfect game against the Braves, like he did over a month ago.
Perksy
Since they’ll likely be swept anyways by Atlanta might as well throw Sevy against them. Nothing to lose. I’d rather see him pitch against Atlanta than Miami.
YankeesBleacherCreature
He’s done starting.
Dr2022
Don’t count on it Capt. he will get tagged for 10 runs , before an out is recorded. But Boone will say , besides the tin runs, he made some good pitches lmao
Raysasineppswasplanted
He didn’t threw a perfecto, he did threw the perfecto man into the sauna the other day.
DCartrow
Oh Donny, be kind to Lizzo.
That’s the yeast you can do!
Captain-Judge99
Yeah Donny, Lizzo is all the cream wrapped up in a twinkie, so hands off and let her be!
Edp007
Shoulda traded Cole and Judge at the dread line ,eat sum dough , aka Stevie C across town , start all over.
Yanks2
Pretty sure they both have no-trade clauses and even if they didn’t, who would they even trade the two faces of their organization for
Edp007
I was kinda joking. But hey lol
sfuchs3 2
Actually Cole may have agreed to a trade….What if Dave Dombrowski the Philly GM gave you a load of the Phillies AAA/ AA prospects for Cole? Dombrowski loves established vets, realizing that prospects often fail….
Edp007
Yanks look like they’re becoming Angels North. Two great players ( J and C) , few horrible burdensome contracts , no farm system , no direction , roster full of Aaaa guys or over the hillers.
Just gonna get worse Yankee fans.
Yanks2
This guy is super cocky and I’m a Yankee fan. Also a one hit wonder like Phil Hughes
cmessick2080
BREAKING NEWS:YANKEES PITCHERS SUCK
cleveland_spider
And here I thought Sean Casey would change everything!
Dr2022
Guess what, that’s not breaking news.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Yankees are a mess right now. Not quite but almost on the Mets level. So many people complain about Chaim Bloom but the Yankees are going through worse IMO
Melchez17
Yankees… 27… 27… 27…
Dr2022
Yup. No doubt about it.3027.
dasit
plenty of exciting young teams to watch right now so i’ll check back on the yankees around march 2024
Dr2022
That might be too soon
dasit
just to see if they got ohtani
if not i’ll skip to 2027
Old York
No worries, Yankees are a garbage team. They really should sell of a bunch of guys and overhaul the team for long-term sustained success. Dump Boone and Cashman, too.
martras
I’d be less concerned about this season and more concerned about his career. Rotator cuff injuries are often career enders for even the very best pitchers. Hopefully, it’s very minor and Cortes can avoid surgery, build the shoulder, control his mechanics and keep on track. Nobody likes to see a player lose a career over injuries like this.
oneiblnd
Says a lot about the lack of pitching in their farm system when they are forced to continue to trot Severino out there.
Endar Malkovich
yanksgoyard.com/posts/yankees-brian-cashman-job-se…
Been saying it for years. There’s your proof. The problem with anything in life always starts at the top.
Hal Steinbrenner is the problem and the fans that drive his idocricy don’t help the situation.
yankeemanuno23
Yankees pitching this season has been a disaster. Pitching coach, Boone and the Cashman decisions have not paid off. $$ spent and nothing outside of some bullpen (qty vs quality swapping players) Time to clean this mess up Steinbrenner ! Lol
cmessick2080
If only they would realize that they need to draft pitchers rather than acquire veteran pitching.