Think of Nestor Cortes Jr., and a certain image comes to mind: the funky deliveries with the leg kicks, the deceptive arm angles, and the mischievous grin he flashes at batters. That’s the showmanship, the “Nasty Nestor” persona. But this spring, there’s another story emerging about the New York Yankees’ lefty—one of quiet determination in overcoming injury and the weighty responsibility of leading his team on Opening Day with a depleted rotation.

Cortes Jr. had a season to forget in 2023. Plagued by a rotator cuff strain, his starts were sporadic, but his impact significantly lessened. It was a setback for a pitcher who’d been a revelation in 2022. Yet, he seems poised for a comeback. Could a renewed Cortes Jr. give the Yankees the spark they’ll desperately need as the season begins?

Nestor Cortes Jr.: Ready for the big stage?

The 2023 season (a sky-high 4.97 ERA with just 67 strikeouts) was a setback for the pitcher, who’d been a revelation in 2022, earning recognition for a record 163 strikeouts with one complete game shutout. Yet, here he stands, cleared for his final tune-up before the real test—the Yankees’ season opener against the powerhouse Houston Astros on Opening Day, March 28.

Cortes Jr.’s recovery wasn’t a given. “Every outing I’ve come into this spring has felt super normal for me,” he told The New York Post. “It’s what it was before, pre-2023. Just keep building off that.” The work it took was immense, with a focus on rehab and rebuilding that confidence to push his arm without fear. If his Spring Training is any indication, he’s not just back—he might be better. And the Yankees brass seems encouraged.

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Manager Aaron Boone called his spring performance “excellent,” exactly what the team needs with an ace. Cortes Jr.’s final outing against the Atlanta Braves was the true test. He faced their fearsome, nearly full-strength lineup, withstanding a few hiccups as his pitch count climbed. “I don’t think Houston’s any different from them as far as firepower,” he said. “It was pretty good coming in here and facing those guys.”

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Nestor Cortes Jr.’s velocity is back up this Spring Training, consistently hitting the low 90s mph, with his signature off-speed pitches showing their usual bite. But can he translate that into a dominant Opening Day performance?

The weight of expectations

Cortes Jr. is no stranger to defying expectations. A 36th-round draft pick who bounced around organizations, he blossomed into an All-Star in 2022 with the Yankees. But there’s a different kind of pressure that comes with Opening Day, especially with the shadow of ace Gerrit Cole’s injury looming large.

Nestor Cortes Jr. himself acknowledges the weight: “Given the circumstances, obviously you don’t want to take the ball with Gerrit Cole being out… But it’s a privilege to be selected to be the Opening Day starter… I’m ready to take on that [role].”

The Yankees are banking on Cortes Jr. to step up as their de facto ace. While there’s confidence in his regained form, there’s also the reality of those early-season starts setting the tone. It’s more than just pitching well. Cortes Jr. bears the unspoken responsibility of galvanizing his team and igniting that winning momentum the Yankees desperately need.

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Can a resurgent Nestor Cortes Jr. give the Yankees the lift they desperately need in those crucial early games? The answer will come with that first pitch on Opening Day.