Nestor Cortes Jr. dazzled for the New York Yankees in 2022. Cortes was one of the biggest success stories in the MLB season, as he earned an All-Star selection and Cy Young Award votes. However, terrible news intervened as the 2023 season nears. Cortes sustained a Grade 2 hamstring strain, reported Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, which will sideline him for at least the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
“Yankees LHP Nestor Cortes Jr. out of World Baseball Classic, sources tell @TheAthletic. Was set to pitch for Team USA, but recently tweaked hamstring,” Rosenthal tweeted on Monday.
Yankees LHP Nestor Cortes Jr. out of World Baseball Classic, sources tell @TheAthletic. Was set to pitch for Team USA, but recently tweaked hamstring. Leaves C Kyle Higashioka (USA), 2B Gleyber Torres (Venezuela) and RH Jonathan Loáisiga (Nicaragua) as only Yankees in tournament.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 13, 2023
Andy Martino of SNY later relayed that Cortes said he had a low Grade 2 hamstring strain.
Nestor Cortes says he has a low Grade 2 hamstring strain. Plan as of now is no throwing off a mound for a few weeks. He is throwing, however. Not ruling out opening week readiness
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) February 13, 2023
So Team USA loses a big left-handed starting pitcher for the WBC. It’s a tough break for both parties as Cortes could have continued to carve out his emerging brilliance. But unfortunately, he will have to wait until the world spins around again for him in 2027.
Cortes went 12-4 in 28 starts with a 2.44 ERA in 2022 en route to his breakout season. In 158.1 innings pitched, he threw 163 strikeouts, issued just 38 walks, and recorded a WHIP of just 0.922. His WHIP ranked second among AL Cy Young Award vote-getters, only behind winner Justin Verlander.
The New York left-hander finished 8th in AL Cy Young Award voting, one spot ahead of teammate and ace Gerrit Cole.
The MLB world reacted to the terrible news about Nestor Cortes Jr. after the news of his injury broke.
uhhh.. Dylan Bundy (?), YOU are a New York Yankee https://t.co/yQVyNqpkRp
— Redwine Ivan Nova (@Corey5771) February 13, 2023
Clayton Kershaw and Adam Wainwright have become the obvious 1-2 in the U.S. rotation with Logan Webb’s absence and now the injury to Cortes. https://t.co/a3ANOHofPm
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) February 13, 2023
Crying in the bathroom at work after just spending $180 on his USA jersey https://t.co/7UcvnCUCoj
— Yankeestribune (@yankees_tribune) February 13, 2023
Damn it already with the injuries for the Yankees 😩 https://t.co/IvDhroYper
— Shukri Wrights (@ShukriWrights) February 13, 2023
Oh cool… https://t.co/iNn68BLAa9
— Stacey with an e (@StaceGots) February 13, 2023
welp, there goes arguably team USA's highest upside starter https://t.co/jwNksfnG2w
— lauren (@Very__Regular) February 13, 2023
groan https://t.co/EFHwaCyCzo
— River Ave. Blues (@RiverAveBlues) February 13, 2023
