The New York Yankees are facing significant challenges regarding their playoff rotation following the injury to Nestor Cortes. Until now, the team had six healthy starters available for five spots, thanks to the returns of Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil from injuries.
However, the situation took a turn for the worse with news that Cortes will undergo an MRI on his left elbow. This is a serious concern for the Yankees, as they may be without one of their top starters for an extended period, possibly impacting their postseason hopes.
Cortes had been in excellent form, allowing only one run over his last 15.1 innings and showing strong motivation after being briefly sent to the bullpen. He seemed poised to secure a spot in the postseason rotation or play a significant role from the bullpen.
Typically, teams like the Yankees would opt for a three-man rotation in the Division Series, with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Cortes as the expected choices. Now, with Cortes’s status in doubt, the Yankees must quickly reassess their options.
One potential solution is to insert Luis Gil into the playoff rotation. The rookie right-hander has had an impressive season, posting a 3.27 ERA over 146 innings, and had only recently given up four runs in a game against the Oakland Athletics.
Insider Jack Curry notes that Gil was already slated to start in the five-game Division Series. While Gil and Cortes have differing styles, the Yankees may need to rely on Gil’s upside, especially if they are without Cortes.
Other options include Marcus Stroman or Clarke Schmidt, but if Gil is performing well, he could be a solid choice to fill the gap left by Cortes. The Yankees do have alternatives available, yet losing Cortes is undeniably a significant blow to their postseason plans.
As the team navigates these challenges, they must find a way to adjust and maintain their competitiveness in the playoff race. The focus will be on maximizing the talents of their remaining pitchers and finding the best mix for a successful postseason run.