There is a bright side to all the Yankees’ injuries. It has created opportunity long-shot minor leaguers wouldn’t have had, providing dream-come-true scenarios.
Nestor Cortes is the latest such story, the Yankees’ 36th-round pick in 2013. The 24-year-old right-hander from Cuba who grew up in Miami figured he blew his shot last year after getting picked up by the Orioles in the 2017 Rule 5 draft. He made it through spring training and earned a spot on the roster, only to fall flat in the regular season.
In four outings, he pitched to a 7.71 ERA. He was returned to the Yankees.