New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes will serve in a piggyback relief role in his next appearance, either on Friday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field after right-hander Luis Gil (back), or after right-hander Clarke Schmidt (lat) on Saturday. After that, Cortes will go back into the starting rotation next week to face the division-rival Boston Red Sox. With both Gil and Schmidt returning to the big-league rotation this weekend, it appears the Yankees will move to a six-man starting rotation down the stretch. The 29-year-old Cortes could probably use a little break after surrendering five earned runs on nine hits (one homer) while walking one and fanning just two on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals in a no-decision. Since the All-Star break, the southpaw has an ERA over 5.00 with 34 K's and 10 walks in 43 2/3 frames over eight starts.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes took advantage of a favorable matchup in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the White Sox. Cortes pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and no walks with nine strikeouts. This was a welcome sign for fantasy managers, as Cortes had turned in five consecutive poor starts prior to this. The 29-year-old is now 6-10 with a 4.20 ERA, an 8.47 K/9 rate, and a 1.85 BB/9 rate in 25 starts and 141 1/3 IP. His next matchup will likely be a tough one against the Guardians. While this start was encouraging, fantasy managers may still be wary and could consider sitting Cortes.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes got roughed up in Thursday's loss versus the Los Angeles Angels. The left-handed was only able to get through 4 2/3 innings, in which he allowed nine hits, six runs, one walk and only struck out two in the outing. Most of his mess came in the top of fifth inning, where four runs crossed the plate, but nonetheless was an ugly outing for Cortes. The bigger issue for managers has been that Cortes has been knocked around a lot lately and has an unpleasant 9.26 ERA over his last 23 1/3 innings. Cortes will get a very favorable matchup versus the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, but if he struggles in that outing, managers have to consider cutting bait or benching him.

The New York Post's Jon Heyman writes that New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes is a name that's out there with the trade deadline coming on Tuesday. Heyman says that he wouldn't be shocked if Cortes is moved. There are plenty of teams out there seeking starting pitching at this year's deadline, although it's unclear how much attention the 29-year-old southpaw is getting amid his recent rough stretch. He gave up four runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings in his most recent start on Friday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, and Cortes hasn't made it past the fifth inning in three straight starts while allowing 15 runs in 13 1/3 innings in that span. The Cuban hurler has a decent 4.13 ERA overall with a 4-9 record, 1.21 WHIP, 116 strikeouts and 26 walks in 124 1/3 innings over his 22 starts. If he stays in the Bronx, fantasy managers may want to avoid him this week against the first-place Phillies.

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes was smacked around early Friday night, giving up four runs on nine hits and two walks with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings pitched in a 9-7 loss to the Boston Red Sox. Despite the poor outing and Yankees' loss, Cortes came away with a no-decision on the evening due to Aaron Judge's 36th home run of the season putting the Yankees ahead in the top of the seventh inning. This outing for the mustachioed lefty makes it three starts in a row that he was not able to pitch past five innings, while allowing at least four runs in all three games. After having an excellent April and May, Cortes hasn't been able to keep up with the heat, as he has a 7.45 ERA in July after having an almost even 4.00 ERA in June. He has a 4-9 record on the season, which doesn't bode well for fantasy teams that play for wins. The veteran lefty is best left on fantasy benches until he can turn things around. Fantasy managers should avoid starting him next week with a tough matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes did not give up a run on his way to picking up the win in Wednesday's 7-3 victory over the Mariners. It was the second straight start that Cortes did not allow an earned run, and in Wednesday's outing, the lefty went five innings, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out six. The win pushed his record to 3-4 on the year and lowered his ERA to 3.29. The southpaw also sports a 1.07 WHIP and a solid 18.2% K-BB%. The 29-year-old will draw the Angels in his next start which will be next Tuesday in Anaheim.

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes turned in an excellent outing in a 4-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday. Cortes allowed just one unearned run on five hits over seven innings while striking out six and walking one in the start. The veteran southpaw looked excellent on the mound while bouncing back from an uneven performance in his last outing. Overall, Cortes has a 2-4 record, 3.56 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts over 60 2/3 innings of work in 2024. He will look to keep it going in his next start, which is scheduled to come against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes looks to maintain his strong start to the 2024 season when he takes the ball for Tuesday's start on the road against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Although Cortes had a sluggish start in spring training, he's throwing for a rock-solid 3.50 ERA (3.71 FIP), 1.00 WHIP, and 32:5 K:BB over 36 innings (six starts) to begin the regular season. The 29-year-old left-hander now has to do battle with a high-powered offense, but in his last seven appearances versus the O's since 2021, Cortes is 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA and 59:11 K:BB across 41 2/3 frames. Baltimore's current roster is batting a career .180 (18-for-100) with just four extra-base hits against Cortes, who should be rostered in all fantasy leagues ahead of Monday night's waiver runs and makes for an interesting DFS tournament play on Tuesday in a difficult setup on paper.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes picked up the loss on Thursday versus the Oakland Athletics. The lefty tossed seven frames of three-run ball and allowed five hits with no walks and four strikeouts. The lefty earned a quality start, but didn't get much out of the Yankees offense to help him. Cortes had a rough 2023 campaign with a 4.97 ERA, but he has bounced back in 2024 thus far with a 3.50 ERA in his first six starts of the season. Cortes is worth rostering in most formats, but will face a tough Baltimore Orioles lineup in his next outing and might be best served on the bench in daily leagues for that contest.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes struck out nine in seven shutout innings on Saturday in the Yankees 2-0 extra innings loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Cortes didn't walk a single batter but gave up six hits. It was the lefty's second-best start of the season but he unfortunately didn't record a win with New York's offense putting up a bagel on the scoreboard. Through five starts, Cortes now has a 3.41 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. The 29-year-old should continue his dominant ways in his next scheduled start on Thursday when the Yankees host the Oakland A's, who are hitting lefties for just a .637 OPS.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes put together his best start of the young season in Monday's 7-0 victory over the visiting Miami Marlins, tossing eight scoreless innings on two hits with six strikeouts. Cortes navigated the 1-10 Marlins with relative ease, scattering two Bryan De La Cruz singles and receiving plenty of run support en route to his first win of the campaign. After a couple of so-so performances in tough matchups to begin the year, the 29-year-old Cuban left-hander now carries a solid 3.50 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 13 punchouts over his first 18 frames of work. Cortes looks to stay on track in his next scheduled start in a favorable spot on Sunday versus the lefty-heavy Cleveland Guardians, a team he owns a 2.19 ERA and 14 K's in 12 1/3 innings against since 2022. He should be rostered in all fantasy leagues ahead of that one.

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes has been tabbed as the club's Opening Day starter against the Houston Astros on the road on March 28. It was recently reported that Marcus Stroman did not wish to alter his spring schedule to line up for Opening Day, and manager Aaron Boone said Carlos Rodon was not a candidate. With Gerrit Cole (shoulder) on the shelf, it's Cortes who dealt with his fair share of injuries last season, limiting him to just 12 starts. He worked to a 4.97 ERA and a 17.7% K-BB% in that time, just one season after breaking out with a 2.44 ERA across 28 starts in the 2022 campaign. ATC is projecting a bounce-back in 2024 for the 29-year-old, who projects for a 3.97 ERA and a quality 17.8% K-BB% across 26 outings (23 starts) this season.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. allowed just one hit a solo home run during Sunday's Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers. He also issued just one walk, struck out three batters, and lasted four innings, which was an increase over his previous start (2.2 innings). Despite the somewhat mixed results, there's no denying that Cortes pitched much better this Sunday than he did a week earlier against the Minnesota Twins (two runs, seven hits). Fantasy managers should consider the fact that RotoBaller's MLB experts rank Cortes 62nd among pitchers and 230th overall for 2024.

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (shoulder) expects to be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. He arrived to the team's spring training facilities early because he wasn't getting over the hump with regards to his rehab for a left-shoulder strain that ended his 2023 campaign early, but the team's training staff has since helped him get there. Cortes is feeling good in camp now and is currently scheduled to pitch in one of the team's exhibition games in Mexico City on March 24-25. The 29-year-old southpaw made just 12 starts in 2023 due to his shoulder injury and doesn't have a ton of fantasy upside as more of a crafty soft-tosser who relies more on inducing weak contact. Coming off injury, Cortes should be considered a late-round flier for fantasy managers.

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (shoulder) said that he's already thrown four live batting practice sessions in spring training as he prepares for the start of the 2024 regular season. The 29-year-old southpaw made his first All-Star team in 2022 but made just 12 starts in 2023 in his third year in the Bronx due to a left rotator-cuff strain. But it appears that he has had a pretty normal offseason and should be ready for Opening Day, barring any setbacks. Cortes struggled when he was on the mound last year, going 5-2 with a 4.97 ERA (4.49 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP while walking 20 and striking out 67 in 63 1/3 innings. The crafty left-hander could bounce back with better health in 2024, but the soft-tosser has less room for error than most pitchers and relies more on deception and inducing weak contact.

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (shoulder), who landed on the 15-day injured list on Friday, said he won't throw for the next three to four weeks, but he's still hoping to return this year. "It's definitely tough. If we're going to make a run at it, we need everyone healthy, not only myself but Carlos Rodon and all the other pitchers," Cortes said. The 28-year-old southpaw just returned for a stint on the IL and looked great last weekend, but now he's dealing with a left rotator-cuff strain and might not be able to make it back at all to close out the season. It's been a disappointing, injury filled 2023 for Cortes after he made his first All-Star team in 2022. Fantasy managers that have been hanging onto Cortes in deep-mixed leagues can probably let go at this point.

The New York Yankees placed left-hander Nestor Cortes (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 8) on Friday with a left rotator-cuff strain and recalled right-handers Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in corresponding moves. Cortes looked good in his first start back from the injured list last Saturday, but he'll now return to the IL after just spending over a month with a left-shoulder strain. It's obviously pretty terrible news for the Yankees and Cortes, and there's certainly a chance that he won't be able to make it back before the end of the 2023 regular season. The 28-year-old Cuban southpaw has an ERA just south of 5.00 on the year with 67 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings over his 12 starts. Brito is most likely to take Cortes' spot in New York's rotation, at least in the short term.

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (shoulder) will return from the 60-day injured list and start on Saturday against the Houston Astros, according to manager Aaron Boone. Left-hander Carlos Rodon will go on Sunday. Cortes was originally to make his final minor-league rehab start on Wednesday, but he instead rejoined the Yankees and is ready to return this weekend. The 28-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched in the big leagues since late May due to a left rotator-cuff strain, so fantasy managers may want to temper expectations in his first start back, especially in a tough matchup against Houston. But Cortes is worth a pickup in deep-mixed leagues for those needing pitching depth the rest of the way.

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (shoulder) said he will start for the Yankees this weekend against the Houston Astros. Cortes was supposed to make his final minor-league rehab start on Wednesday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but he has instead rejoined the Yankees and will return from the injured list to start this weekend. The 28-year-old southpaw has been sidelined since late May with a strained left rotator cuff, so tossing him right back into starting lineups this weekend in a tough matchup against Houston wouldn't be the most prudent move. Cortes hasn't been at his All-Star form from a year ago, but he has the ability to help fantasy managers in deep-mixed leagues the rest of the season in New York's starting rotation.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. (shoulder) is set to make another minor league rehab start on Monday. The left-hander looked sharp during his second rehab start on Friday. It appears the team wants to give Cortes one more start before bringing him back to the big league rotation. The 28-year-old only threw 49 pitches during his last outing, so they probably want him to increase that this time around. Fantasy managers should expect Cortes to be ready after his next rehab start.