Nestor Cortes lands on IL with elbow issue in Yankees' playoff setback
The left-hander had been strong of late, allowing just one run over his last 15 1/3 innings, which included one appearance out of the bullpen.
Nestor Cortes wanted to believe that his recent elbow pain was just part of the normal wear and tear of the season.
Instead it may cost him a chance to pitch again this year.
The Yankees left-hander landed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday after an MRI exam revealed a left elbow flexor strain.
He said his UCL is fine, but the team is sending the imaging to noted surgeons Dr. Neal ElAttrache and Dr. Keith Meister for additional opinions on the flexor muscle.
At the very least, Cortes will be shut down for seven to 10 days and likely receive a PRP injection before reassessing his status.
Cortes is still holding out hope for returning at some point in October if the Yankees make a long playoff run, and manager Aaron Boone said the club was not yet ruling that out.
But time is not on his side and the Yankees cannot bank on him being an option, likely robbing them of having one of their best arms for the most important time of the year.
“It sucks,” Cortes said Wednesday afternoon after being scratched from his start against the Orioles, with Marcus Stroman filling in for him in a 9-7 loss at the Stadium. “It sucks that I’m in this position right now to where I can’t help the team. Obviously with what I dealt with last year [a rotator cuff strain] and how well I prepared this offseason to pitch this season and how well it’s been going for me the last five or six starts … I finally felt like things were clicking for me.”
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