As Yankees rebound, Nestor Cortez heads to Illinois with groin injury – Reading Eagle

OAKLAND — Just when the Yankees were about to be unscathed, they were dealt another blow. Big. Nestor Cortez goes on the injured list with a groin injury.

The Yankees are expected to move up to Triple-A closer Greg Weisert to fill his roster spot.

The news comes days after Cortez said he felt “great” after his last start on Sunday. The 27-year-old was asked out due to concerns about his innings.

Cortez threw a career-high 131 innings, which was about the number of innings the lefty said he pitched in the year between spring training and winter ball.

In addition to feeling good, Cortez said he has been a loyal employee.

Cortez has posted a 2.68 ERA and has a strong strikeout rate (25.9%) and walk rate (5.8%).

The Yankees pitching depth is really contested right now. Luis Severino is on the 60-day IL with what the Yankees said was a “minor” tear. Severino, who has pitched just 27 innings over the past three years, said he feels great. The Yankees managed his pitching before he went to the IL with 86 innings.

The Yankees dealt him to Illinois at the trade deadline, allowing them to add Scott Efras, Lou Trivino and Frankie Montas to the 40-man roster. It was also when the Yankees traded away not only proven major league starter Jordan Montgomery, but most of their high-end prospects. They’ll face one of the best they’ve dealt Friday when left-hander J.P. Sears, dealt for Montas, pitches for the A’s.

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