Nestor Cortes, the talented pitcher for the New York Yankees, recently engaged in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, shedding light on various aspects of the team’s season, his role within the rotation, and the impact of his superstar teammates, Gerrit Cole, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge.
The Yankees find themselves deeply entrenched in the American League pennant race, vigorously contesting the AL East crown against the Baltimore Orioles, while also competing with the Orioles and Cleveland Guardians for the league’s top playoff seed. Despite a scorching start to the season, during which they won 10 of their initial 12 games, the team has faced challenges through the summer months. June saw them finish with a 14-13 record, followed by a shaky start to July with 11 losses in their first 17 games. Nevertheless, Cortes emphasizes that panic in the Bronx is unnecessary, attributing their resilience to the imminent return of ace pitcher Gerrit Cole and the dominant performances of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, both of whom are making compelling cases for MVP honors in 2024. Additionally, Cortes anticipates the Yankees actively participating in the trade deadline to bolster their roster, especially focusing on fortifying their infield positions.
In Cole’s absence due to injury, the Yankees’ pitching rotation admirably held its ground. Cortes, along with Marcus Stroman, Luis Gil, and the sidelined Clarke Schmidt, all maintained ERAs below 4.00. Carlos Rodón, another stalwart in the rotation, secured 10 victories in his 21 appearances, despite grappling with a mid-4.00 ERA. Cortes himself, a former All-Star who grappled with injuries in 2023, reflected on his season thus far in a candid Q&A . He acknowledged his uneven performance with a stellar 2.48 ERA in 11 home starts juxtaposed with a challenging 6.04 ERA in 10 road games. Cortes expressed a determination to rectify these discrepancies, noting the ongoing adjustments required to optimize his performance in different settings.
Reflecting on his offseason and preparation for the current season, Cortes disclosed insights into his recovery and training regimen following a physically taxing 2022 season. He highlighted the necessity of early intervention by the team’s trainers in Tampa, enabling him to overcome lingering injury concerns and regain optimal health well before the start of the regular season. This proactive approach contrasts with his experiences from the previous year, where injuries and insufficient recovery impacted his ability to maintain consistent form throughout the season.
Addressing the team dynamics in Cole’s absence, Cortes underscored the collective effort of the pitching rotation in maintaining stability until Cole’s return. Despite the challenges posed by the absence of the reigning Cy Young winner, Cortes commended the professionalism and adaptability exhibited by fellow pitchers Stroman, Rodón, and Schmidt. He particularly emphasized the personal challenge of staying healthy and available for every scheduled start, a principle instilled by Stroman, who stressed the career-defining value of consistency and reliability in professional sports.
Cortes welcomed Cole’s return to the rotation, noting the immediate positive impact it had on team dynamics and performance. He humorously recalled the brief speculation among teammates regarding potential role adjustments before Cole’s return, underscoring the competitive spirit and camaraderie within the team. Cortes highlighted the significance of Cole’s return in bolstering the team’s overall performance, underscoring the ace’s potential to elevate their game in the crucial stages of the season.
The interview pivoted to Cortes’ impressions of newcomer Juan Soto, whose stellar performance in his debut season with the Yankees left a profound impression on the veteran pitcher. Cortes admired Soto’s dedication and work ethic, observing similarities with established stars like Judge and Stanton in their relentless pursuit of excellence both on and off the field. Despite Soto’s young age of 25, Cortes acknowledged his rapid ascent to stardom, contrasting it with his own career trajectory and highlighting the impact of Soto’s presence in strengthening the team’s offensive capabilities.
Reflecting on his longstanding partnership with Aaron Judge, Cortes recounted the evolution of Judge’s game since his initial tenure with the Yankees in 2019. He marveled at Judge’s transformation into a formidable force within the league, particularly noting his exceptional 2022 season where he surpassed expectations with 62 home runs. Cortes shared anecdotes from the dugout conversations with teammate Stroman, who, like him, gained newfound appreciation for Judge’s prowess and consistency throughout the season. Together, Judge and Soto represented the cornerstone of the Yankees’ batting lineup, commanding respect and admiration for their remarkable achievements on the field.
Cortes further elaborated on the rising prominence of Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, acknowledging his multifaceted skill set and impressive performance throughout the season. Having faced Henderson multiple times on the field, Cortes praised his comprehensive understanding of the game and noted his contributions to the Orioles’ resurgence as a formidable adversary in the AL East. Reflecting on his brief stint with the Orioles in 2018 as a Rule 5 draft pick, Cortes acknowledged the organizational changes since then, crediting the current coaching staff and front office for cultivating a winning culture and nurturing young talent like Henderson.
In conclusion, Cortes expressed confidence in the Yankees’ potential to achieve postseason success, despite recent setbacks. He emphasized the team’s collective strengths, particularly highlighting the pivotal roles of Judge and Soto in anchoring the lineup’s offensive firepower. Cortes affirmed his belief in the pitching staff’s resilience and capability to overcome challenges, pointing out their strong performance over the initial three months of the season as evidence of their competitiveness. With Cole’s return and bolstered bullpen support, Cortes remained optimistic about the team’s prospects for the remainder of the season, aiming to capitalize on their strengths and rectify recent shortcomings in pursuit of a return to the World Series.
