Yankees Nestor Cortes Says Hes Upset At Being Used In Relief After Workhorse Role Now They Do This

Nestor Cortes Expresses Frustration Over Relief Role After Strong Start as Yankees' 'Workhorse'

Cortes' Dominant Beginning

Nestor Cortes emerged as a reliable starter for the New York Yankees in 2022, earning the moniker "Nasty Nestor" for his effective changeup and deceptive delivery. He finished the season with a 12-4 record, a 2.44 ERA, and 158 strikeouts in 158.1 innings pitched.

Unexpected Shift to Relief

However, during the Yankees' recent series against the Chicago Cubs, Cortes was surprisingly used out of the bullpen in relief. This decision left Cortes feeling "upset," as he had established himself as a dependable starter and had not been informed of the change in advance.

Cortes' Disappointment

"I was a little upset," Cortes said. "I felt like I had done enough to earn a spot in the rotation. I've been a workhorse for this team, and now they do this." Cortes' frustration is understandable, given his strong performance as a starter. He had pitched 6.1 scoreless innings in his previous outing and had allowed just one run in three of his last four starts.

Yankees' Explanation

The Yankees' decision to use Cortes in relief was likely due to the team's desire to manage his innings count and keep him fresh for the long season ahead. Manager Aaron Boone has stated that Cortes will remain a starter in the long term, but the team needs to be cautious with his workload.

Cortes' Outlook

Despite his disappointment, Cortes remains committed to the Yankees and is determined to prove his worth as a starter. He is expected to return to the rotation in the coming weeks and will look to continue his impressive start to the season.