Nestor Cortes was missing from the Yankees’ ALDS and ALCS rosters, but he could return just in time for the World Series.
Aaron Boone said Monday that there is a “good chance” Cortes will be on the roster to face the Dodgers in the World Series.
The left-hander, coming back from a left elbow flexor strain, is set to face hitters again on Tuesday (for the third time), and if he gets through that healthy, he could get clearance for the World Series that begins Friday at Dodger Stadium.
Cortes, who last pitched on Sept. 18, would be returning as a reliever in part because he does not have enough time to build up his pitch count.
He threw 20 pitches in his last live batting practice session on Saturday at Progressive Field and might only be able to offer one to two innings at a time.
But adding another lefty to the bullpen (they had two for the ALDS and ALCS in Tim Hill and Tim Mayza) would be especially valuable against the Dodgers, who feature lefty-hitting studs like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman at the top of their lineup, not to mention Max Muncy.
Nestor Cortes could return from injury to make the Yankees’ World Series roster. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
It remains to be seen who Cortes would replace on the roster.
The Yankees carried 14 position players and 12 pitchers for the ALCS, which had the same schedule as the World Series.
The only two players on the ALCS roster that did not appear in a game were right-hander Marcus Stroman and outfielder Trent Grisham.
Boone, who has watched Juan Soto’s full at-bat that led to the game-winning homer in Game 5 of the ALCS a few times since, continued to rave about his superstar right fielder.
“I hate to put it this way sometimes, and I’ve said it over the years about certain guys, but for being Juan Soto and this huge [star], he’s low maintenance,” Boone said. “He’s easy to be around, he’s a good guy, you can coach him.
“I’ve loved every second of him being here. Hopefully he’s here a long time.”
Anthony Rizzo (fractured fingers) was at Yankee Stadium on Monday for the club’s voluntary workout, according to Boone.
The veteran first baseman, who missed the ALDS, is playing through the pain and had some defensive miscues in the ALCS, but hit 6-for-14 (.429) with a 1.000 OPS.
“He’s in a similar spot, should be good to go,” Boone said.
