Nestor Cortes to miss World Baseball Classic

Yankees lefty Nestor Cortes will miss next month’s World Baseball Classic due to a strained right hamstring. The All-Star hasn’t been ruled out for the start of the regular season.

Colorado Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland replaced Cortes on the Team USA roster.

“Came in on Wednesday and told the staff I was a little banged up,” Cortes said Monday at the Yankees’ minor league complex. “After long talks, obviously, the best interest was to stay out of it. The biggest goal right here is to get healthy and be ready for the start of the season. I think it’s something that’s definitely doable to start the season off healthy and in the rotation.”

Cortes initially felt the tweak while running sprints at home and he said the the injury is low grade two strain. There is no timeframe to return and the 28-year-old will not pitch for at least a couple weeks.

“Didn’t think of it much,” Cortes said. “I thought it was just a cramp. Later that night went to put on a shoe and kind of felt a little pull there. Once I showed up here it was a little bruised. We’re taking it day by day. We’re seeing how I progress.”

The fan favorite went 12-4 with a 2.44 ERA in 28 starts, earning his first All-Star game appearance last season. Cortes’ career-year came after going 2-3 in just 14 starts in 2021 for the Bronx Bombers.

“I was very excited for it,” Cortes said. “Wanted to represent Team USA, a country that gave me a lot of opportunities to do a lot of the stuff I’m doing today. Very disappointed and obviously very sad I can’t participate.”

Cortes ended last season with groin injuries, which forced manager Aaron Boone to pull him out of ALCS Game 4 against the Houston Astros. The Yankees ended up losing that elimination game at home as the Astros completed the series sweep.

“Took care of it all offseason,” Cortes said. “Was down in Miami rehabbing it throughout the whole offseason. It feels great. No soreness.”

With the News Wire Service.

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