The New York Yankees’ pitching unit continues to deal with injuries this season. They just announced that they are putting reliever Keynan Middleton on the 15-day IL with shoulder inflammation.
That is a blow to their bullpen that has the lowest ERA in the major league this season with 3.19.
In another devastating injury update, manager Aaron Boone announced that starting pitcher Nestor Cortes is likely done for the season when asked if he expected the lefty to return before the end of the year.
The star pitcher has been on the injured list since Aug. 11 with a rotator cuff strain. He had only made one start in two months after being diagnosed with a shoulder strain.
In Boone’s patented positivity, he also added, “Never say never. You never know where this season ends up going. First things first, he’s set to begin his throwing program and he’s in line to do that based on how the last few weeks have gone.”
Cortes is expected to start his throwing program this weekend, which creates a limited window on when he’d be healthy enough to return this season.
With the Yankees sitting at .500 entering their game Wednesday, it doesn’t make much sense for them to bring him back in any capacity this year. Risking future health for one or two starts in a season that is basically over would be borderline malpractice.
The star lefty has a 5-2 record with a 4.97 ERA in 12 starts this season after being an All-Star selection in 2022 and finishing the year with a 12-4 record and 2.44 ERA across 28 starts.
