Yanks Go Yard
FanSided

Yankees shockingly place Nestor Cortes on IL after prospect promotion

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 16: Nestor Cortes #65 of the New York Yankees looks on after pitching during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on August 16, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 16: Nestor Cortes #65 of the New York Yankees looks on after pitching during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on August 16, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Just when it seemed like the New York Yankees were actually making constructive roster decisions, it turns out they were just forced into them because of injuries continuing to decimate their current group of players.

The latest glimmer of hope came in the form of buzz suggesting Triple-A reliever and prospect pitcher Greg Weissert was making his way to the big-league roster. That’s awesome! The guy is filthy and could really help the bullpen.

But, like Clarke Schmidt re-joining the active roster, it came at a cost. Nestor Cortes is reportedly heading to the injured list as the corresponding move instead of the Yankees getting rid of dead weight keeping this team from digging out of its current rut.

New York will now be down its best pitcher in Cortes, who has been among the few consistent forces for the 2022 Yankees. The left-hander has enjoyed his first All-Star season, logging a 9-4 record with a 2.68 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 0.96 WHIP and 133 strikeouts in 23 starts (131 innings).

Instead of the Bombers perhaps getting rid of Luke Bard or Marwin Gonzalez by promoting Weissert, they’ll be without Cortes for at least 10 days.

Yankees shockingly place Nestor Cortes on injured list in Greg Weissert move

Silver lining time! Cortes getting a late August/early September breather really isn’t the worst thing in the world. He’s already eclipsed his career-high in innings pitched at this point in the season by 38 frames. The Yankees need him for the postseason more than anything, so a short rest could go a long way.

It also could just be … a phantom IL stint, a la Clay Homes. The Yankees have done this before!

Additionally, their next stretch of seven games will come against the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels on a West Coast road trip. If there’s any time to absorb a troubling loss in the starting rotation, it’s right now, especially with Clarke Schmidt possibly ready to slot into Cortes’ spot now that Weissert can hold down a bullpen role.

OK, so it’s not the worst thing in the world that Schmidt was sent down to Triple-A a few weeks back to build up his arm strength to make starts. Fans were rightfully up in arms about that because of how good he was in the bullpen, but now it might actually provide the necessary relief the pitching staff needs with Cortes on the IL.

If the Yankees take care of business over the next seven games, there will be no issue to be discussed. If they faceplant like they were before this current three-game winning steak, then expect more toxic discourse.

Home/Yankees News

Schedule