New York Yankees’ former All-Star blasts team’s decision to move him to the bullpen
Nestor Cortes, the New York Yankees’ left-handed pitcher, was not pleased with the team’s decision to shift him to the bullpen.
With Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt returning to the starting rotation this weekend, a six-man rotation could be in the cards by the end of the month.
For the time being, Cortes has been shifted from the rotation to the bullpen, most likely because to his problems on the road this season.
The former All-Star voiced unhappiness with the decision following his maiden bullpen appearance in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
“Clearly, I was upset. I feel like I’ve been the workhorse among all the starters,” Cortes said. “When [Gerrit] Cole went down, they chose me to be the Opening Day starter, not necessarily the No. 1 starter. “I had to change my routine there, and now they do this.”
Cortes may not have been pleased with the transfer, but it does give a new level of skill to a struggling unit overall. Cortes relieved Schmidt on Saturday, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing no hits, no runs, and one walk while striking out 3.
Schmidt was strong in his first start back from injury, going 4.2 innings, allowing four hits and two walks and striking out two.
When healthy, Gil and Schmidt have outperformed Cortes as starts this season. Gil is a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year, while Schmidt was in the midst of a breakout season until being placed on the disabled list in late May.
Cortes had a 5.09 ERA in 14 road starts, allowing a.278 average and.824 OPS across 74.1 innings.
Cortes was unhappy with the relocation, but he recognized the realities of the situation.
“I will never back down from a challenge, and I will never let my teammates down. I will always give you my best effort, whether I am happy or not. That is what I did today. I just proven that I can be put in any circumstance, and if that’s what my duty is from now on, I’ll embrace it.
When the playoffs arrive, the Yankees will need all the support they can get from their bullpen, especially given the unit’s troubles since the middle of June.
