Nestor Cortes may be pitching to stay in Yankees' rotation

The New York Yankees are going to have to make a decision relatively soon.

Greg Joyce from the New York Post reported that starting pitcher Gerrit Cole is taking the next steps in his rehab. Cole, who was shut down due to nerve inflammation in March, has been throwing bullpens. He has begun mixing his secondary offerings with his fastball, showing the results he had hoped for. 

Although the Yankees have yet to put a timetable on Cole's return, he is expected back in July.

Cole's eventual return will mean that someone loses their spot in the Yankees' rotation. Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman may not be performing as expected, but their contracts will ensure they continue to get starts. 

After this season, Rodon is still due another $111.3M in his six-year, $162M deal, while Stroman is beginning his two-year, $37M contract. Neither pitcher will be heading to the bullpen.

Clarke Schmidt and/or Luis Gil would be the most logical options based on name recognition. However, Schmidt and Gil have been the Yankees' best starters thus far in 2024. 

Schmidt has posted a 2.95 ERA and a 1.266 WHiP over his 42.2 innings, striking out 47 batters with 15 walks. Gil was an afterthought, making the Opening Day roster due to Cole's injury. He has impressed thus far, posting a 2.51 ERA and a 1.093 WHiP in his 43 innings, striking out 48 batters with 26 walks.

Then there is Nestor Cortes. He was a revelation in 2021, emerging from the waiver wire to solidify the back of the Yankees' rotation. Cortes followed up with an All-Star performance in 2022 and appeared to be on the verge of stardom.

Cortes was unable to take that next step forward. He suffered through an injury-plagued 2023 campaign, making just 12 starts due to a pulled hamstring and a strained shoulder. 

Cortes has been marginally better this year, having posted a 4.02 ERA and a 1.081 WHiP over his 53.2 innings and striking out 51 batters with 11 walks. His struggles have been particularly pronounced on the road, where he has a 6.75 ERA and a 1.618 WHiP in his 25.1 innings away from Yankee Stadium.

A lot can happen between now and when Cole is ready to return. The Yankees rotation could look drastically different in July due to injuries and/or ineffectiveness. 

Cortes could find his form and solidify his place in the rotation. However, as it currently stands, he may be pitching for his place in the Yankees' rotation when Gerrit Cole returns.