New York Yankees' Struggling All-Star Starting Pitcher Likely Headed to IL

The New York Yankees could be losing another starting pitcher to the injured list.

As manager Aaron Boone told reporters on Sunday, left-hander Nestor Cortes is likely headed to the injured list with a shoulder injury.

Cortes will undergo an MRI in New York on Monday or Tuesday to determine the severity of his shoulder issue.

According to Boone, Cortes has not been recovering properly between his starts, and has been dealing with some "achiness" in his shoulder.

“Don’t think it’s anything too major,” Boone said.

The shoulder injury could explain why Cortes has been struggling so much this season. After making the All-Star team in 2022, the southpaw has posted a 5.16 ERA in 11 starts this year.

Cortes' struggles have mainly come from facing a lineup the third time through the order. He last pitched on Tuesday in Seattle, where he threw four shutout innings before giving up two runs in the fifth.

In addition to Cortes, the Yankees have also been missing starting pitchers Carlos Rodon and Frankie Montas, who have been on the injured list all season. Luis Severino was also on the injured list to begin the year before returning in May.

Cortes was initially in line to start on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox. The Yankees have instead penciled in Clarke Schmidt to take the mound on normal rest.

The Yankees have Wednesday's starter listed as "TBD."

They could potentially call up Jhony Brito or Randy Vazquez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Cortes' spot. Both pitchers will be fully rested if they were to pitch on Wednesday.