Nestor Cortes, the Yankees left-hander, made a successful 48-pitch debut in the Grapefruit League this spring. After recovering from a pair of rotator cuff strains last season, Cortes expressed confidence in his shoulder recovery. Last season, Cortes struggled with recovery between outings, leading to a 4.97 ERA and two stints on the injured list for shoulder issues. However, after shifting his offseason workouts to the Yankees’ complex in Tampa and receiving the best treatment and strengthening of his shoulder, Cortes has seen improvement in his recovery this spring.
Cortes felt positive about his performance in the Grapefruit League debut, stating that his pitches were crisp and he was able to throw them where he wanted. Most importantly, he came out of the game feeling healthy and considered it a big step forward. Cortes has been encouraged by how he is bouncing back from his outings so far this spring and believes that he has put his shoulder issues behind him.
During Monday’s game against the Twins, Cortes showcased good life on his fastball and recorded four strikeouts. Although he allowed seven hits and two runs, he felt strong after the outing. Manager Aaron Boone praised Cortes for his progress in recent weeks and hopes that it continues.
In addition to Cortes’ successful debut, the Yankees received slight scares during the game. Outfielder Juan Soto nearly rolled over his right wrist while attempting a diving catch but quickly popped up, avoiding injury. DJ LeMahieu also faced a scare when a tough bounce hit him in the face while trying to field a chopper to third base. Fortunately, he only suffered minor scratches and remained in the game.
In other news, Jasson Dominguez, who is returning from Tommy John surgery, began his hitting progression by taking 20 right-handed swings off a tee. This marks a significant step in his recovery process.
Overall, Nestor Cortes’ confident shoulder recovery and successful spring debut are promising signs for the Yankees. With the support of the training staff and his dedication to his offseason workouts, Cortes believes that his shoulder issues are behind him. The Yankees will be closely monitoring his recovery and progression as he prepares for his next turn through the rotation.
