Yankees' injury update on Nestor Cortes Jr leaves fans with conflicting emotions

After Games 1 and 2 of the ALCS, it appears the Cleveland Guardians are severely outmatched by the New York Yankees, given how underwhelming the Bombers have performed en route to two victories. But fans are also worried about that because the Yanks have yet to truly break out.

So far, their pitching has been the team's backbone. Outside of Carlos Rodón's blowup start in Game 2 of the ALDS, the Yankees staff has collectively answered the bell. And even in that game, they only allowed four runs! The bullpen did its job to support Rodón.

The script flipped a little in Games 3 and 4. The bullpen unraveled in Game 3 and the offense came alive in Game 4, but there's a desired level of consistency that has not been yet achieved.

There's also the reality that Aaron Boone is burning too many relievers. He has used Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle and Luke Weaver excessively so far. That's not a recipe for longevity.

The reality is that the loss of Nestor Cortes right before October was a major blow. He hasn't pitched since Sept. 18 due to a flexor strain in his throwing elbow, but we have since received updates on his progress. A couple weeks ago, he started throwing.

On Wednesday, Boone said Cortes returning for the World Series, should the Yankees make it, is a real possibility. But that certainly has fans conflicted.

Nestor Cortes Injury Update: Yankees could get him back for World Series

Ian Hamilton is now out for the remainder of the postseason after Mark Leiter Jr. was added to the ALCS roster. He came in during Game 4 and did a solid job but made one of the worst errors you'll ever see to nearly blow the game for New York. So the need for quality and experienced pitching grows.

Cortes threw to hitters at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, but Friday marked one full month of the left-hander not pitching in an MLB game. For as much as the Yankees probably need pitching help, we're just not sure how Cortes, after such a long layoff with a concerning injury, will be able to help during the most intense games of the entire season.

They already have underused arms spread across the bullpen as Boone has been top-heavy with his deployment of Holmes, Weaver, Kahnle and recently Tim Hill. They got by using Leiter Jr. and Jake Cousins on Friday, even though Boone said he was tempted to add Cortes to the ALCS roster after Hamilton's injury. Whatever the case, the Yankees are tired and will need more help/a better approach should they advance to the World Series.

Then again, we just saw what happened when guys like Hamilton, Leiter Jr., Cousins and Luis Gil pitched after long layoffs. The results? Injury (Hamilton), panic mode (Leiter Jr.), two earned runs on two hits and a walk in just one inning (Cousins), and a laborious but solid four frames (Gil).

Cortes potentially coming back for the most important series should feel good, but there's just no realistic way we can project his usage and effectiveness at this moment.