TAMPA — Someone, anyone, will have to take the ball for the Yankees on Opening Day.
Nestor Cortes has not yet been approached about the honor, but the most logical candidate is willing.
The lefty said it would be “special” to get the nod on March 28 in Houston, and his schedule is lining up to present him as an option.
The Yankees have not confirmed a starting pitcher for Opening Day, but Nestor Cortes is willing to take the mound. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Yet, the official conversation with team brass has not yet occurred.
“I don’t know yet. I haven’t been told anything,” Cortes said before throwing a live batting practice on Friday at Steinbrenner Field. “So hopefully we find out today or tomorrow or the next day.”
Explore More
The Yankees’ first choice, Gerrit Cole, cannot make the start because of a troublesome elbow that will keep him out for perhaps a few months, but is not expected to end his season.
Cortes is the most sensical candidate remaining to take the hill on Mar. 28. AP The Yankees’ next choice, Marcus Stroman, declined the offer made by GM Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone because the righty said he would prefer keeping his originally planned schedule, which will make him the starter for Game 3 against the Astros and the home-opener.
Boone already has named Carlos Rodon the Game 2 starter.
The only other sure rotation members are Cortes and Clarke Schmidt, whose schedule has been tweaked so he is starting Friday’s game against the Pirates on four days rest — which would make his throwing plan harder to adjust to be ready for a game that is less than two weeks away.
Cortes, though, said after Friday he will be pitching Thursday on five days rest. That would mean he could pitch the season opener on six days rest.
And that would be fine with him.
“The more rest the better,” Cortes said. “I think I would be fully rested for that day. It just depends on what Aaron Boone and the organization wants to do.”
The lefty has never made an Opening Day start, Cole getting the nod each season since 2020.
Cortes, though, was a 2013 draft pick of the Yankees who has played in the majors in parts of four seasons and emerged as an All-Star in 2022.
His 2023 was ruined by rotator cuff issues, but his standing in the organization would seem to give him the inside track.
“Obviously under the circumstances that we’re at now, it’s not ideal,” Cortes said about the possibility of getting the ball March 28. “But I think you’re happy obviously when you’re named Opening Day starter, if that’s the case. But it’d be cool. It’s something to add to the resume for sure.”
