Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes admitted he was "upset" over being used as a reliever against the Cubs, saying he was surprised by the demotion from New York's starting rotation but that he would accept the new role if it ends up being permanent.
Cortes, a former All-Star who has worked exclusively as a starter since midway through the 2021 season, pitched 4 1/3 no-hit relief innings Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field, combining with starter Clarke Schmidt for a four-hit shutout in the Yankees' 2-0 victory.
The outspoken Cortes did not mince words after the game, calling himself the "workhorse" of New York's rotation and citing the Yankees' decision to name him as their Opening Day starter when ace Gerrit Cole was sidelined with an elbow injury to start the season.