Though the New York Yankees are expected to have a starting rotation with an ERA in the top 10 for the 2024 season, they are depending on a number of pitchers to recover from injuries.
Carlos Rodon looked leaner and hit a fastball mph of 95 mph in his first spring training start, demonstrating some great momentum. After a protracted off-season recuperation from a shoulder surgery, Nestor Cortes made his first spring training start on Monday afternoon, giving the Yankees a first look at him.
Nestor Cortes’s Comeback and Performance
The 29-year-old pitcher is coming off a challenging season in 2023, where he threw only 63.1 innings, holding a 4.97 ERA, a 69.1% left-on-base rate, and a 26.3% ground ball rate. Nestor Cortes relies on his distinctive delivery and varied pitch mix, but he faced difficulties last season, losing velocity on his fastball and struggling with location due to a rotator cuff strain.
Due to the injury, the team had to end Cortes’s season prematurely, relying on a few spot starters and depth players. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that just a year prior, Cortes had an impressive performance, pitching 158.1 innings with a 2.44 ERA, earning him his first All-Star appearance. The Yankees are aware of Cortes’s potential when he’s in top form, and there were positive signs from his recent performance on Monday.
Against Minnesota, Cortes pitched 2.2 innings, giving up seven hits and two earned runs while striking out four batters. Although those figures don’t seem impressive, he exceeded his lifetime averages with his four-seam fastball, topping out at nearly 93 mph.
Evaluating Cortes’s Pitching Mechanics and Future Outlook With the Yankees
The Yankees were pleased to observe normal velocity and favorable spin rates from a crucial member of their rotation. Nestor Cortes heavily utilized his fastball in the recent outing, delivering 23 four-seamers and 15 cutters while incorporating eight sweepers and two change-ups into his pitch mix. Particularly notable was the spin rate of his sweeper, registering at 2572.6 at 78.6 mph, resulting in a substantial 15.1 inches of horizontal break.
Cortes has demonstrated success by employing a strategy of baiting opposing batters and introducing variations in his arm slots to create confusion in the hitters’ pitch recognition. This ability to keep batters off balance contributes to Cortes’s effectiveness on the mound.
Following Monday’s game, Nestor Cortes expressed contentment with how his body felt, stating, “Happy where my body’s at right now.” The primary focus after Cortes’s first spring training start was on his velocity, and the positive outcome of walking away healthy and prepared for subsequent appearances.
Considering their past injuries, both Rodon and Cortes are currently under observation. However, this initial step is significant for both pitchers, providing them with areas to improve upon while demonstrating encouraging velocity numbers. This suggests they are on a trajectory to begin the season at full capacity, a promising sign for their readiness.
Leave a Reply