Phillies add pitching depth.
Phillies bolster pitching staff, signing veteran Nestor Cortes after arm surgery.
Key Points
Cortes underwent left elbow–related surgery last October and faced a nine-to-ten month return timeline, with reports indicating he’s been cleared to throw and could begin with a Florida facility rehab or a minor-league rehab assignment before ramping up.
Cortes had a standout 2022 season with the Yankees, earning an All-Star selection and posting a 2.44 ERA with 163 strikeouts over 158 1/3 innings, a notable peak in his career prior to the 2024 trades.
His recent path included being traded to the Brewers after the 2024 season (along with Caleb Durbin) for Devin Williams, followed by a left elbow flexor strain and an eight-inning, 9.00 ERA stint in Milwaukee before moving to the Padres for six starts with a 5.47 ERA.
Boston Red Sox were reportedly among the teams involved in courting Cortes as he worked his way back, indicating broader interest across multiple clubs.
Phillies manager Don Mattingly could benefit from Cortes’ versatility, using him as a piggyback option with a right-hander or in long relief to support a potential six-man rotation and keep starters fresh.
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes to a Major League contract, adding veteran depth to their rotation, according to The New York Times. Cortes, 31, is coming off surgery to repair a biceps tear he had last October and has not pitched in a game since then.
The deal is pending a physical exam, Crossing Broad reported. Cortes threw for multiple teams as he worked his way back, drawing interest from the Boston Red Sox and others before the Phillies won out.
Cortes Fills the Phillies' Vulnerable No. 5 Rotation Spot
Philadelphia's rotation already includes Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Jesus Luzardo, Cristopher Sanchez, and top prospect Andrew Painter. The fifth starter spot has been a question mark heading into the stretch run. Cortes gives manager Don Mattingly a flexible, experienced option to slot in there, according to Sports Illustrated.
Mattingly could also use Cortes as a piggyback starter — pairing him with a right-hander on the same day — or as a long reliever. That kind of flexibility is key for a team managing workloads deep into a pennant race. Metro Philadelphia noted the Phillies see Cortes as adding both depth and matchup options.
From Yankees All-Star to a Rocky 2024 Trade Journey
Cortes had his best season in 2022 with the New York Yankees. He made the All-Star team, posted a 2.44 ERA, and struck out 163 batters in 158⅓ innings. That performance made him one of the more reliable left-handed starters in baseball.
His path since then has been bumpy. He was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers — along with Caleb Durbin — in exchange for closer Devin Williams. He went 0-for-8 innings with a 9.00 ERA in Milwaukee before moving to the San Diego Padres, where he made six starts and posted a 5.47 ERA, per Sports Illustrated.
Surgery Last October Set Up a Nine-Month Recovery Clock
Cortes underwent surgery on his throwing arm in October after a left elbow flexor strain cut short his 2024 season. Doctors set a nine-to-ten month return timeline, The New York Times reported. That window means he is only now cleared to ramp up his workload.
He is expected to begin with a rehab assignment, either at a Florida facility or on a minor-league roster, before joining the big-league club. The Phillies are not counting on him to step in immediately as a full-time starter. Instead, they plan to bring him along carefully, according to Crossing Broad.
Phillies Bet on Upside as Rotation Depth Becomes Critical
The Phillies have been hunting for rotation insurance since the trade deadline. A healthy Cortes at his peak is a genuine asset — a crafty left-hander who mixes speeds and hits his spots. That version of Cortes would slot comfortably into any contender's staff.
The risk is real: Cortes has not proven he can stay healthy or recapture his 2022 form. But the reward — a cost-controlled, versatile arm for a team chasing a World Series — makes the gamble worth taking, Sports Illustrated argued. For Philadelphia, this is a low-risk move with meaningful upside.
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