The New York Yankees had to pull starting pitcher Nestor Cortes from Game 4 of the ALCS due to injury.
The New York Yankees had some positive momentum to start Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday night. They carried a 3-0 lead on RBI singles by Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres and a one-run double by Anthony Rizzo. But then, things unraveled in The Bronx.
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes had a concerning third inning, as he walked Martin Maldonado and Jose Altuve to start. He was visited by the team trainer before Altuve’s at-bat but remained in the game. Cortes then surrendered a game-tying, three-run homer to rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena.
Aaron Boone & trainer visited the mound before the Jose Altuve at-bat, so there was injury concern. Cortes walked Altuve, then gave up the three-run HR to Pena.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) October 24, 2022
Right after the home run, Cortes was pulled from the game. Reliever Wandy Peralta entered the game to replace Cortes.
Why Nestor Cortes was pulled ALCS Game 4
It was pointed out that Cortes’ velocity was down in the third inning. Katie Sharp of Stathead tweeted out that Cortes’ four-seam fastball velocity was measured at 91.0 mph through the first two innings. Then, in the third, the velocity dropped to 88.3 mph.
Nestor Cortes is done. Velocity was down. Walked Martin Maldonado and Jose Altuve, his second and third of the night, and the last time he'd walked three or more was Aug. 5. Then he went down 3-1 to Peña, and the fifth pitch of the at-bat landed in the stands. Wandy Peralta's in.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 24, 2022
Nestor Cortes 4-Seam Fastball Velocity This Game
— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) October 24, 2022
3rd inning: 88.3 mph
1st-2nd innings: 91.0 mph
Later on in the game, the Yankees announced that Cortes suffered a left groin injury.
Nestor Cortes left tonight's game with a left groin injury.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 24, 2022
During a mid-game interview with TBS’ Lauren Shehadi, New York Yankees manager revealed that Cortes had been dealing with the groin issue since the first day of the postseason.
Boone says Cortes was dealing with the groin issue since first day of the playoffs. #Yankees
— Kristie Ackert (@ByKristieAckert) October 24, 2022
The Yankees did surrender another run in the third inning on a single hit by Yuli Gurriel, giving Houston a 4-3 lead.
Cortes recorded two strikeouts and three walks while surrendering two hits in 2.0 innings.
So for Yankees and baseball fans wondering what happened to Cortes that forced him to exit earlier than the Yankees had expected, he suffered a groin injury.