Nestor Cortes to undergo elbow MRI amid Yankees concerns

Nestor Cortes was scheduled to pitch for the New York Yankees against the Baltimore Orioles, but he will instead undergo an MRI on his elbow, raising concerns just ten days before the postseason begins. This unexpected development comes despite Cortes' recent strong performances, where he allowed only one run and struck out 18 batters over his last three outings. His last appearance included four hitless innings against the Chicago Cubs, followed by a solid showing against the Boston Red Sox and the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees have enjoyed a relatively injury-free period recently, with several players returning from the injured list, which has provided them with a surplus of capable starting pitchers. This situation allowed the Yankees to move Cortes to the bullpen temporarily, while Marcus Stroman and Cody Poteet were considered as potential replacements for Cortes in the starting rotation. Stroman has recently transitioned to a relief role, while Poteet was activated from the injured list and sent to Triple-A. Cortes, who has a 3.77 ERA over 174.2 innings pitched this season, has made 30 starts and is expected to return to the bullpen for the playoffs. The Yankees' depth in pitching has been a significant advantage, but Cortes' elbow issue could disrupt their plans as they aim to clinch the AL East title and prepare for the postseason. The situation highlights the unpredictability of injuries in sports, especially as teams gear up for critical playoff games. The Yankees will need to assess Cortes' condition and make necessary adjustments to their pitching strategy moving forward, which could impact their postseason performance.