After his first day of playing catch on Sunday, Nestor Cortez felt well enough to play catch again on Monday.
Cortez hopes to be an option for the Yankees if the playoffs are extended until this month as the left-handed pitcher works his way back from a left elbow flexor strain.
“know [Sunday] It went well,” manager Aaron Boone said Monday before Game 2 of the ALDS vs. the Royals. “Everyone was encouraged by that.”
Cortez was diagnosed with an elbow problem during the final week of the regular season and started throwing again Sunday after a 10-day absence.
If Cortez continues to respond well to reinforcements, the Yankees will likely need to pitch Cortez a few times in the bullpen before facing hitters before they feel comfortable using him.
It is a race against time to see if they can make it in time for the ALCS, which begins next Monday, but if the Yankees advance, their participation in the World Series (scheduled to begin on October 25th) will be extended even further.
Either way, Cortes is almost certain to return as a reliever and will still be a valuable asset to the Yankees.
“know [Sunday] It was reassuring enough to know that it might be possible at some point,” Boone said.
