The Uncertain Future of Cuban Néstor Cortés: Is His Place in the Yankees at Risk?

There is a subject within the New York Yankees that is like a hot potato in the hands, and that hot potato corresponds to the name of Néstor Cortés.

The Cuban pitcher is not performing at the same level as he did in the 2022 season when he was selected for the All-Star Game. Unfortunately, his poor performance is expected to result in his removal from the New York rotation.

According to Greg Joyce of the New York Post, pitcher Gerrit Cole, who has been absent due to issues with his throwing elbow, is nearing his return to the mound. Cole has been warming up in the bullpen, practicing his secondary pitches along with his fastball, and it appears to be yielding the expected results.

Cole’s imminent return means one thing for sure: Someone will have to give up his seat in the Yankees’ pitching rotation. Sure, Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman may not precisely be unleashing the storm as expected, but their contracts are like rocks in the road, guaranteeing that they will continue to start. Rodón still has to collect $111.3 million on his six-year, $162 million deal, while Stroman is in his first year of two years he signed for $37 million. None of these guys will move to the bullpen, that’s for sure.

Now, the most logical options in terms of the name would be Clarke Schmidt and/or Luis Gil. However, who would believe it? Schmidt and Gil have been blowing smoke on the mound for the Yankees this season. Schmidt has maintained a 2.95 ERA and a 1.266 WHiP in 42.2 innings, striking out 47 and walking just 15. Gil, on the other hand, was something of a last-minute savior, entering the Opening Day rotation because of Cole’s injury, and he’s been blowing everyone away ever since, with a 2.51 ERA and a 1.093 WHiP in 43 innings, with 48 strikeouts and 26 walks.

And then there is Néstor Cortés. The guy was like a hero in the rain for the Yankees in 2021, emerging out of nowhere to give them a solid hand in the rotation. He followed up with a stellar performance in 2022 and seemed to be touching glory with his fingertips.

But hey, not everything was like a Hollywood movie for Cortés. Last year was an injury-riddled disaster for him, with multiple injuries limiting his ability to make 12 starts. This year, he has been a little better, with a 4.02 ERA and a 1.081 WHiP in 53.2 innings, 51 strikeouts, and only 11 walks. However, things are not so pretty when he is away from Yankee Stadium. On the road, his ERA skyrockets to 6.75, and his WHiP to 1.618 in 25.1 innings.

A thousand things could happen before Cole returns to action. The Yankees’ rotation could be a rollercoaster of changes by July due to injuries or lack of effectiveness. Cortes could right the ship and secure his place in the rotation. But, as things stand right now, it looks like he’ll be gunning for his spot when Gerrit Cole makes his big return.

Cortés’ last outing was a disaster

In the second game of the series between the Yankees and the Rays, the Cuban took the mound, trying to secure a commitment for the New Yorkers. However, Cortés was far from having control of him and was attacked from the first third of the match. Néstor worked five and a third innings, allowing five hits, four runs, and striking out five.