Cortes became a free agent after a dismal showing in 2020, and he returned to the Yankees.
He appeared out of nowhere to become a valuable member of the squad in 2021, making 14 starts in 22 outings, going 2-3 with a 2.90 ERA. His K/W ratio was 103/25, which is quite good.
The majority of his 93 innings came during a period when the Yankees’ pitching staff was ravaged by injuries, and his performance was a true godsend.
He began 2022 in the Yankees’ starting rotation, once again due to injuries to more well-known pitchers, and his first two appearances were outstanding.
On April 12th, he pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, striking out no one, and then on April 17th, he pitched 5 scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles, striking out a career-high 12 batters and walking only one.
In the game’s fourth inning, he struck out the side on nine pitches for a perfect inning. However, he was given a no-decision once again as the Yankees lost the game 5-0 in the ninth inning.
In a 1-0 win over the Texas Rangers on May 9th, he flirted with a no-hitter, keeping them hitless until the 8th inning.
Nestor was removed from the game after Eli White broke up the bid with a one-out single, resulting in another no-decision because the game was still scoreless at this point (the Yankees scored their lone run in the bottom of the 8th, gifting the win to Clay Holmes).
He pitched eight scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox on May 15th, taking over the American League ERA lead at 1.35.
On May 26th, he added to his mythology by pitching into the ninth inning for the first time in his career in a 7-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Where Was Nestor Cortes Born?
Nestor Cortes was born in in Surgidero de Batabano, Cuba.