Yankees place Nestor Cortes on 15-day IL; southpaw hopes to be back for postseason run

Nestor Cortes, Wednesday’s scheduled starter for the Yankees as they continue their series against the Baltimore Orioles, has been placed on the 15-day IL with a left elbow flexor strain.

Right-hander Cody Poteet has been recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and Marcus Stroman will start in Cortes’ place on Wednesday night.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, Cortes explained that he’s been shut down from throwing for 7-10 days, and will receive a PRP injection in the next day or two.

According to Cortes, he’s been “dealing with some tenderness for a few weeks” — right before the Cubs series — in his left elbow, but he “didn’t feel right” after his bullpen session on Sunday.

“He’s been throwing the ball so well too and has put together a really good year,” manager Aaron Boone said prior to Wednesday’s game. “Feel for him right now. Have to pick up the slack there and support him right now and see what we have over the next several days to see exactly how he’s responding.”

With Cortes set to miss two weeks, he’ll likely not play in the ALDS but the bigger question of whether he’ll be available at all in October is still up in the air.

“I don’t know if optimistic but we’re not ruling it out yet,” Boone said of the possibility. “First things first, the next week to 10 days has to unfold and see if there is any chance.”

“The mentality is to come back,” Cortes said. “ALDS, ALCS, World Series it depends on how far we go and how well I do with rehab. My main focus is to come back and help this team.” 

Cortes has been a valuable piece for the Yanks this season, starting 30 games while pitching to a 3.77 ERA with 162 strikeouts in 174.1 innings.

He also made one relief appearance on Sept. 9, picking up a win as he threw 4.1 shutout innings in a 2-0 win over the Chicago Cubs.

“It sucks that I’m in this position right now where I can’t help the team,” Cortes said. “With what I dealt with this year and how well it’s been going for me the last 5-6 starts. I finally felt like things were clicking for me… it’s unfortunate.”

Cortes, if healthy, likely slots in as the Yankees’ fourth starter for the playoffs, behind Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Luis Gil. Cortes could also be used as a reliever to piggyback with someone like Gil, Stroman, or Clarke Schmidt.