Nestor Cortes was missing from the Yankees’ ALDS and ALCS rosters, but he could return just in time for the World Series.
Aaron Boone said Monday that there is a “good chance” Cortes will be on the Yankees’ roster to face the Dodgers in the World Series.
The left-hander, coming back from a left elbow flexor strain, is set to face hitters again on Tuesday (for the third time), and if he gets through that healthy, he could get the all-clear for the World Series that begins Friday at Dodger Stadium.
Cortes, who last pitched on Sept. 18, would be returning as a reliever in part because he does not have enough time to build up his pitch count.
He threw 20 pitches in his last live batting practice session on Saturday at Progressive Field.
But adding another lefty to the Yankees’ bullpen (they had two for the ALDS and ALCS in Tim Hill and Tim Mayza) would be especially valuable against the Dodgers, who feature left-handed hitting studs like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman at the top of their lineup, not to mention Max Muncy.