Manager Aaron Boone has said multiple times in recent days that the Yankees are as good and healthy heading into October as they have been this season.
There's no need to rush.
Nestor Cortes was scheduled to undergo an MRI on his left elbow Wednesday morning, just hours before he was scheduled to start against the Orioles with a chance to win the AL East.
The left-hander has been in good form recently, allowing just one run in his past 15 1/3 innings, including one bullpen appearance.
The Yankees had yet to decide whether to use him as a starter in the postseason or as a valuable multi-inning reliever, but those discussions were on hold pending the results of his MRI.
Assuming Cortes has to sit out Wednesday night, the Yankees could keep Marcus Stroman waiting in the bullpen or recall Cody Poteet from Triple-A.
That would require an open roster spot, but it could happen if Cortes goes on injured reserve.
If Cortes is found to be able to return after being on the disabled list, the Yankees could backtrack by three days, keeping him out until at least Oct. 7, the date for Game 2 of the AL Series.
Cortes missed the second half of last season with a rotator cuff injury but has been durable this year, throwing a team-high 174 1/3 innings through Wednesday.
The only time Cortes has been on the disabled list with an elbow issue in the majors was in 2020, when he missed time with left elbow impingement.
The Yankees moved Stroman to relief duty two weeks after his final appearance, his only time on the mound since last Tuesday against the Mariners, where he pitched three innings and threw 64 pitches.
Poteet was solid in four spot starts for the Yankees earlier this season but was placed on the disabled list in June with a triceps injury.
He returned from the 60-day disabled list last week at the end of a 30-day rehab assignment, was optioned to Triple-A and worked his way up to 72 pitches last Tuesday.
