Sixteen days after the trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies pulled off a rare August move, officially inking long-time New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes to a major-league deal on Aug. 19. It’s a head-scratcher, no doubt, given the timing and the lefty’s recent history, but the Phillies clearly see something they need as they gear up for the final stretch of the season.
From All-Star Flash to a Long Road Back
Look, Cortes has some serious talent, there’s no denying that. The 31-year-old southpaw, known for his unique, stilted delivery where he balances with his right leg lifted for what feels like forever, had an All-Star season in 2022. He posted a fantastic 2.44 ERA over 158 ⅓ innings with the Yankees that year when he was 27. His last full season in 2024 saw him with a solid 3.77 ERA over 31 appearances, 30 of them starts, also for the Yankees. So, the potential is there.
But here’s the rub: Cortes hasn’t pitched since Sept. 3, 2025. He underwent surgery for a biceps tear, a serious setback. Last year, in 2025, his numbers were rough, showing a 6.29 ERA across just eight starts while splitting time with the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres. That’s a steep drop-off, and jumping back into major-league action after that kind of injury and performance dip is a huge ask. His career ERA is 3.94 over eight seasons, so that 6.29 ERA from last year really sticks out.
What’s the Play Here, Philly?
So what exactly are the Phillies cooking up with Cortes? It’s not totally clear what role he’ll fill in the final month and a half. The club has been scraping for starting pitching depth all season, often resorting to bullpen games just to cover the fifth spot in their rotation behind Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, and Aaron Nola. They even recalled Andrew Painter on July 31 to try and shore things up, and he’s allowed 10 earned runs in 20 ⅓ innings over four starts, though his command and changeup are reportedly better.
If an injury hits the rotation, Cortes is likely the first man up, jumping ahead of minor-league guys like Alan Rangel and Brian Keller. He could also slide into the bullpen, maybe replacing long reliever Chase Shugart, or even step in as a sixth starter. The goal? Reduce the strain on the existing rotation as they get ready for what’s ahead. Last September, they made a similar move with Walker Buehler, who made two starts late in the season. The Phillies are clearly trying to stack their arms, and they’re hoping Cortes can find some of that old All-Star magic, even after a tough year and a serious injury.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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