“He’s been very close to being really good” – Yankees manager Aaron Boone backs starter Nestor Cortes amid difficult stretch

It's been a roller-coaster season for the New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes. After a few flashes of solid play this year, it has been a campaign that Cortes will want to write home about. After bursting onto the scene and earning an All-Star bid in 2022, things have not exactly gone to plan for Nestor on the mound.

In his last five games, the Yankees southpaw has posted a dismal 1-3 record with a 9.26 ERA. There have been questions about whether or not the 29-year-old should remain in the rotation. While fans may question Cortes' future in his current role, his manager, Aaron Boone, has not lost any faith in his pitcher.

"I don't have any thoughts right now of doing that with Nestor," Boone said in an interview on Talkin' Yanks when asked about giving Cortes additional rest between starts. "I feel like it's coming out right. Certainly made some mistakes in situations, he's been hurting with some risp.

"But I also feel like in alot of these outings he's been very close to being really good. ... This year it's been there," Boone continued, saying that Cortes' pitches have been coming out of his hands properly.

Nestor Cortes will need to step up if he hopes to remain a key piece

Even though Cortes has the backing of his manager, he will need to perform at a higher level sooner rather than later before the New York Yankees fanbase demands a replacement.

Nestor should have a few more opportunities in the rotation to re-establish himself as a bona fide star. Although the Yankees might not have a ton of internal options for the moment, injured pitcher Clarke Schmidt continues to work his way back from the IL. Schmidt could return by September, so there is a chance that he could replace Cortes in the rotation if things don't improve.