Yankees Notebook: Nestor Cortes continues year of firsts
It’s been a year of firsts for Yankees’ lefty Nestor Cortes. He made his first All-Star team. He crossed the 100-inning threshold for the first time, then 125, then 150 before ending the regular season with 158.1 star-making innings. On Friday, he also made his first-ever postseason start, holding Cleveland to two runs in five innings during a game the Yankees eventually lost.
With the help of Monday’s rain washing out Game 5′s original schedule, the Yankees felt comfortable handing the ball to Cortes on three days’ rest for the rescheduled Game 5 on Tuesday afternoon. It’s a remarkable story for someone who was designated for assignment by the Orioles in 2018 and had a devilish 6.66 ERA across the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Those 2018 Orioles were the worst team in baseball at the time, and even they didn’t want him. Four years later, Cortes has transformed himself into a pitcher that can be counted on for not only a winner-take-all game but one for the sport’s most scrutinized team at the pressure cooker that is Yankee Stadium. With Game 5 getting moved back by about 20 hours, Cortes became manager Aaron Boone’s preferred choice to get through the Guardians’ lineup at the beginning of the game. Had the Yankees and Guardians been able to play on Monday, it’s possible that Cortes would have emerged from the bullpen at some point to try and carry the Yankees to Houston.
“Nestor felt good [Monday] so he was gonna play a significant role potentially,” Boone revealed. “We feel good about it.”
Jameson Taillon, who was originally set to start Game 5 had it been played on Monday, will now get the ball for Game 1 in Houston if the Yankees live to see Wednesday. With him out of the picture for Tuesday, the Yankees have Domingo German (who has not pitched since the regular season) as an intriguing option to piggyback on Cortes’ start.
“I just feel like we don’t need huge length out of them,” Boone said. “The one thing yesterday ended up doing is giving me another break for the relievers.”
That break surely helped Clay Holmes, who pitched on Sunday and is not someone the Yankees feel great about using on back-to-back days. With no game on Monday, they didn’t have to worry about that. Wandy Peralta pitched in each of the first four games, so a brief respite was probably a welcome idea, even for a notoriously rubber-armed pitcher.
Jonathan Loaisiga and Lou Trivino are in great shape after not pitching Game 4, and Game 3 goat Clarke Schmidt had another day to get right as well. Because of all that, Boone expects Cortes to empty the tank knowing what he has behind him.
“I just want him to go as hard as he can, and he’ll probably be shorter, so obviously the bullpen is going to play a big role in this I would imagine,” Boone said. “But you know, we’ll just pay close attention to it and hopefully he can get us off to a good start.”
In an all-hands-on-deck situation like this, several pitchers can be asked to take on a role that they’re not comfortable or familiar with. It’s the postseason, though, and routine gives way to necessity.
“You try and get what you think is the best guy in the best spot,” Boone explained. “So I don’t stress that much about that. You know, I feel like we are set up good today. I’m excited to see these guys go out and do their thing.”
Boone said he’d also be open to using Gerrit Cole at the end of the game.
“[Monday] he texted me, morning or late morning, saying ‘I’m good to go.’ He could definitely be in play but we’ll see how it goes here the next few hours with him. But it’s potentially in play.”
Somewhat of a headcase, the idea of Cole getting thrust into unfamiliar territory is a little strange. No matter how Cole would handle it mentally, Boone likes where he’s at physically.
“He’s durable and, you know, mechanically really efficient. He’s very honest about where he’s at too and things like that. So he’s good to talk to in that way.”
LEMAHIEU READY FOR ALCS
DJ LeMahieu (foot fracture) took batting practice on the field with his teammates prior to Game 5, looking like his normal self. On his way off the field, the infielder who missed most of September before coming back for five touch-and-go games at the end of the regular season gave an update on his condition. Asked if he feels well enough to partake in a potential American League Championship Series, LeMahieu was optimistic.
“I’m hoping so,” he relayed. “I feel a little bit better. Just with rest, I feel good.”
He said there is still some discomfort in the foot, but it’s not bad enough to keep him from playing if asked. LeMahieu also took ground balls in the infield without issue.
()