Another Yankees’ Starter Injured Before Spring Training

Another member of the New York Yankees‘ rotation is dealing with an injury before the start of spring training. Nestor Cortes hurt his hamstring and won’t be able to throw from a mound for two weeks.

Cortes was supposed to pitch for Team USA in the 2023 World Baseball Classic before suffering the injury. The Yankees’ starter was forced to pull out of the WBC because of a Grade 2 right hamstring strain.

Two-fifths of the Yankees’ rotation is dealing with injuries. Starting pitcher Frankie Montas will miss at least the first month of the 2023 MLB season because of a shoulder injury.

The injury to Cortes isn’t as severe as the one that Montas has been dealing with this winter. Cortes sounded optimistic when asked by reporters if he would be ready to start the regular season on time.

“It’s kind of a letdown for the country, but I think the biggest goal right here is to get healthy and be ready for the start of the season,” Cortes said.

Montas is slated to be the No. 5 starter in the Yankees’ rotation and pitched poorly after coming to New York before the trade deadline. There are much higher expectations for Cortes this year.

Gerrit Cole is the Yankees’ ace. Carlos Rodon signed a massive six-year, $162 million contract to join New York in free agency. Cortes, however, was the team’s best starter last season.

In 158.1 innings, Cortes led all Yankees’ starters with a 2.44 ERA and a 4.2 WAR. Cortes had a 12-4 record in the regular season and was the winning pitcher in New York’s Game 5 clincher over the Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS.

Cortes left Game 4 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros with a groin injury. The same injury forced Cortes to be placed on the 15-day injured list in August.

Catcher Kyle Higashioka, second baseman Gleyber Torres and relief pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga are the only Yankees who will compete in the WBC.