The New York Yankees lost a lot with Gerrit Cole’s injury.
They lost a guy capable of posting a 2.63 ERA with more than 200 strikeouts.
They lost a proven ace and a Cy Young award winner.
They lost their only sure thing in a rotation full of question marks.
And they lost their Opening Day starter.
The Yanks were left scrambling for a replacement for the honor.
Carlos Rodon wasn’t an option: he is lined up for the second game of the year.
Marcus Stroman respectfully declined, citing too many inconveniences by changing his program and routine.
It was between Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt, basically.
The Yankees have made their choice.
“Nestor Cortes will be the Yankees’ Opening Day starter,” team insider Bryan Hoch tweeted.
Nestor Cortes will be the Yankees’ Opening Day starter.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) March 15, 2024
Cortes’ 2023 season was plagued with shoulder injuries that left him with a 4.97 ERA.
In 2021 and 2022, however, he performed like an ace.
He posted a 2.90 ERA in 2021, and people were wondering if what he was doing was for real.
Then he came in and posted an even better 2.44 ERA in 2022, helping the Yankees reach the American League Championship Series.
Whenever he has been healthy in recent years since overhauling his mechanics and repertoire in 2021, he has been excellent.
He is also one of the most beloved and respected Yankees on the roster, so he is very much deserving of the honor.
As for Cole, he is expected to miss 1-2 months with elbow inflammation.
When it subsides, he is expected to resume his throwing program with an eye on a May or June return.
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