MLB fans are in stitches over a series of hilarious (and rather unique) movements displayed by New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes on the mound.
The 29-year-old Nestor Cortes has a habit of displaying all sorts of unique windups before he delivers his pitches. But Sunday’s contest against the Cleveland Guardians may take the cake as his most peculiar windup motion yet).
Facing Andrés Giménez in the bottom half of the second inning, Cortes took one step and then faked a toss before delivering a 78 MPH pitch in the upper part of the strike zone that was fouled off:
Cortes’ windup there had the announcers laughing, but his movement also led to plenty of hilarious reactions on X/Twitter. Even the Guardians’ official account had to address it:
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Nestor Cortes had a tough day on the mound, pitching just four innings and allowing five hits and four runs, though he struck out six batters on the day. Despite carrying a 7-5 lead into the bottom half of the 10th inning, the Yankees surrendered three runs and fell 8-7.
Even with the loss, the Yankees are still in a good spot with a 12-4 record heading into their three-game road series against the Toronto Blue Jays that begins on Monday.
Nestor Cortes Can Expect A Larger Role In 2024
With age pitcher Gerrit Cole on the 60-day injured list to begin the season, Aaron Boone and the Yankees need all the help they can get from the rotation.
As such, Nestor Cortes can expect an expanded role as a starting pitcher here in 2024. To date, his most game appearances in a single season is 28 (in 2022). But with Cole still a while away from returning, Cortes is in line to top that mark while besting his career-high in innings pitched (158.1 in 2022).
Cortes’ next scheduled start is next Saturday vs. the Tampa Bay Rays.
