Yankees’ Nestor Cortes pushed back a start after bout of strep throat

If Nestor Cortes did not pitch to his usual standards during his worst start of the year on Sunday, the Yankees lefty has an alibi.

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cortes had strep throat that “probably played a role” in the outing, and will push his next start back.

Cortes, who allowed seven runs in 4 ²/₃ innings at Texas, was later diagnosed with the infection. He is now feeling better, Boone said, but the Yankees will delay his next start.

Cortes no longer will pitch Saturday at Tampa Bay and instead will start a home game Monday against the Athletics.

Cortes still will face the Rays in his subsequent turn through the rotation, as the Yankees will host them after the series with Oakland is finished.

Pushing Cortes back ensures Gerrit Cole will start in St. Petersburg, Fla., this weekend.

The Yankees will throw Jhony Brito, Domingo German and Cole in a showdown with the first-place Rays.

Cortes’ ERA swelled from 3.49 to 4.91 while he allowed five hits and walked four Sunday against the Rangers.

“Didn’t quite have the same kind of energy he normally has,” Boone said before the Yankees beat the Guardians, 4-3, in 10 innings in The Bronx.

Ron Marinaccio pitched 1 ²/₃ scoreless innings in relief and retired all five batters he faced. The righty is holding opponents to an .089 batting average (4-for-45) this season.

Carlos Rodon (left forearm strain and back issue) is scheduled to see a back doctor Thursday, general manager Brian Cashman said. The lefty has yet to debut with the Yankees after he signed a six-year deal with them during the offseason, and he has not been able to build up without his back affecting his delivery.

“There’s a little restriction in there,” Cashman said. “We want to make sure that we aren’t missing something before we completely ramp up.”

Boone said the Yankees hope to have a better idea of the next step within a few days.

Luis Severino (right lat strain), who had been expected to start a rehab assignment this week, is instead going to throw a live batting practice in Tampa on Friday. A Yankees spokesman said the club wants to “control the environment.”

Severino will either pitch at Steinbrenner Field or at the minor league complex.

Giancarlo Stanton (left hamstring strain) was on the field before the game and going through light running drills. Boone said Stanton has done defensive work, has been hitting and is feeling well.

“Hopefully, couple more weeks [to] get into a rehab [assignment], whatever it is,” Boone said.

RHP Tommy Kahnle (right biceps tendinitis) is expected to throw another bullpen session Thursday. Boone said the Yankees hope to be able to activate him when he is eligible later this month.

Cole was voted the AL Pitcher of the Month for March/April, his second such award as a Yankee after April 2021. Cole went 5-0 with a 1.11 ERA in 40 ²/₃ innings over six starts in March and April.