“I was a little ticked off about it” - Nestor Cortes Jr. opens up on tough situation as Yankees explore bullpen plans for postseason

New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. made his first relief appearance since 2021 on Saturday. After starting 28 games for the Yankees this season, Cortes took the mound after Clarke Schmidt, who allowed four hits to the Chicago Cubs.

Cortes threw 4.1 hitless innings after Schmidt left the game, allowing one walk and recording three strikeouts. Although the 29-year-old was initially unhappy about the shift, feeling he had been reliable as a starter, he later expressed a positive attitude.

Cortes reflected on pitching both as a starter and reliever (via the NY Post):

“I’m happy I’m able to do it. I know I was a little [ticked] off about it, but that’s in the past. My goal has always been to win, no matter where I’m at. Whatever helps this team win, I’m gonna do. Of course I’d rather start, but if it winds up I’m coming in for two or three innings, so be it.”

Nestor Cortes Jr., scheduled to start the New York Yankees' game against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, knows well that his position might shift again before the team finalizes its rotation for the playoffs.

Currently, the Yankees have six solid starting pitchers, including Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman and Cortes.

“There hasn’t been any conversations with me about whether I’m going to stay (in the rotation),” Cortes said. “I guess it’s a blessing and a curse for me because I’ve done it already and they know I’m capable of doing it.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone opens up about the team's pitching decisions as playoffs approach

Nestor Cortes Jr. is 9-10 with a 3.97 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP and 147 strikeouts in 163.1 innings pitched. In the 2022 postseason with the New York Yankees, Cortes allowed six runs in 12 innings over three games.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone discussed their plans to organize their starting pitchers for the 2024 playoffs (via the NY Post):

“We might pull another guy out or even two. We’ll consider all that. You’re not sure how many of them would play down there (in the pen) or not.”

The Yankees' most recent game, a 4-3 victory against the Kansas City Royals, was started by Luis Gil, who allowed one run in five innings pitched.