Nestor Cortes is feeling optimistic! After a successful first day of playing catch on Sunday, he got right back at it on Monday. It’s great to see him making strides as he works through that left elbow flexor strain. With the playoffs on the horizon, he’s hoping to be a solid option for the Yankees if they make a deep run this October.  

Nasty Nestor was given an elbow injury diagnosis during the final week of the regular season, and he took a much-needed 10-day vacation. However, he resumed throwing on Sunday. Before the Yankees are ready to activate him, he will need to throw a few bullpen sessions and face some hitters, if his health permits.

Nestor Cortes Jr. gearing up for a return

Cortes Jr. is undoubtedly running against the clock to recover in time for the ALCS, which begins on Monday. But if the Yankees make it to the World Series, which kicks off on October 25, he’d have a bit more time to ramp up. It sounds like the Hialeah Kid is gearing up for a return, and while he’ll likely be coming back as a reliever, that’s still a big win for the Yankees. Every arm counts in the postseason!

As Aaron Boone said according to the New York Post, “I know [Sunday] was encouraging enough to know that at some point, it could be a possibility.” That’s a hopeful sign, and fans are definitely excited about the prospect of having him back in any capacity. Let’s keep those good vibes going! 

Instead of their usual routine of flying to Kansas City after Monday night’s game, the Yankees decided to stick around and work out at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. It’s a bit of a change, but it makes sense since they wouldn’t have landed until around 3 A.M. if they’d flown after Game 2. By staying put, they’ll have some time to focus on their preparation before heading out in the afternoon for Wednesday’s Game 3. “This way we sleep in our own beds,” Boone said. Plus, it’s a chance to get a good workout in without the travel fatigue. Smart move! 

Will the Yankees find their momentum again?

The Royals gained home-field advantage in this hotly contested best-of-five American League Division Series when the Yankees suffered a difficult 4-2 loss in Game 2. With the series now deadlocked at one game apiece, they’re going to Missouri for Game 3 on Wednesday. However, don’t write them off! The Yankees are renowned for their tenacity, so you can guarantee that they’re motivated and prepared to take the lead again. 

The Yankees didn’t find the scoreboard again until Jazz Chisholm Jr. kicked off the ninth inning with a home run. They managed to pull off a win in Game 1 despite struggling with runners in scoring position, but Game 2 was a different story. They left eight runners on base and went just 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Overall, New York is now 3-for-19 in those crucial situations during the series. They’ll need to tighten up their game if they want to take control back in Missouri! 

The Royals and Yankees will play on Wednesday right across Arrowhead’s parking lot. This will be Kauffman Stadium’s first postseason game since the 2015 World Series’ second game. The Royals are confident in their hosting role because they have Witt, the likely AL MVP runner-up, hitting 0-for-10. The Yankees, meanwhile, enter the field with the mindset that they are the better side and that Game 2 was only a rocky patch. With Nestor Cortes Jr. back, they’ll excited to demonstrate it, I bet!