Nestor Cortes returned to the Yankees starting rotation for at least one inning following a stellar relief appearance last weekend and had a strong performance.
The former All-Star left-hander allowed just one run over five innings on Thursday night in the first of a four-game series against the Red Sox, helping the Yankees win 2-1 after 10 innings at the stadium.
Cortes initially expressed frustration at being demoted after pitching a no-hitter and winning 4 1/3 innings in place of returning starter Clark Schmidt in last Saturday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
“I'm just trying to go out there and get as many zeros as I can,” Cortes said after Thursday's game. “Maybe I was asking for too much last week, but I got my point across. At the end of the day, whatever they want me to do to help the team win, I'm going to do it.”
“The goal is in sight. We're two weeks away. All we want is to win games and get to October. Whether that's as a relief pitcher or a starter, I'm going to be there for the team.”
After acknowledging he was “upset” that Schmidt's return from the disabled list put him in the bullpen, Cortes backtracked on that idea earlier this week and said he would accept whatever role Aaron Boone has in store for him for the rest of this season and the playoffs.
With Schmidt's return, the Yankees suddenly had six capable starting pitchers in Cortes, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman and Luis Gil.
“Nester loves to compete. In a lot of ways, I think Nestor is a guy who has proven people wrong and earned everything he's got,” Boone said. “He's been successful in that regard. [relief] He has played in this role before but thought right-hander Nestor would be best suited to slot in behind Clark on a one-off basis.
“But the fact is, he's pitched really well over the last month and he did the same tonight.”
The 29-year-old Cortez is 9-10 with a 3.90 ERA this season but leads the team in innings pitched with 168¹/₃ innings. He made the most of the reprieve on Thursday, going 1-1 with three hits, three walks and nine strikeouts over five innings (92 pitches).
Boston's only run against him came on a solo home run by catcher Danny Jansen in the fifth inning.
“no, [on Friday] “I'll probably hear about it when I get in,” Cortes said when asked if he'd been told if he'd play in the next game. “Right now, I don't know. I'm going to go in with the intention of playing.” [starting]if I’m not, then I’m not.”
