The New York Yankees are two wins away from making their first World Series since 2009.
If they can finish off the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series, the Yankees could get a huge piece of their pitching staff back from injury in time for the Fall Classic.
Manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday that starting pitcher Nestor Cortes is potentially on the cusp of returning from his elbow injury and may be an option in the next round if the team advances.
The southpaw was placed on the 15-day injured list in late September, but if the Bronx Bombers win the AL pennant, Cortes will give them another starting option or bullpen arm.
The 2022 All-Star could slide in behind ace Gerrit Cole and No. 2 Carlos Rodon in a possible Fall Classic appearance or be a long-relief option if a starter gets in trouble. Cortes had an inconsistent regular season, going 9-10 with a 3.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP across 174 1/3 innings, but he has experience as both a starter (86 games) and a reliever (49 games).
Notably, however, all but one of the 29-year-old’s outings out of the bullpen came before 2022. Cortes made his only relief appearance in 2024 on Sept. 7 against the Chicago Cubs, working 4 1/3 hitless, scoreless frames while striking out three and walking one.
Cortes started three games during the Yankees’ run to the 2022 ALCS, allowing six earned runs on 11 hits, seven walks and seven strikeouts over 12 innings.
At worst, New York could have a decent Game 3 option for the World Series behind Cole and Rodon, but first, they must get there.
The Yankees will try to take a commanding 3-0 lead against the Guardians when they play Game 3, which takes place on Thursday at 5:08 p.m. ET in Cleveland.
The World Series starts on Oct. 22 or 25, depending on how soon the ALCS and NLCS conclude.
