Yankees Promote Nestor Cortes in Corresponding Move for CC Sabathia Hitting IL

The drive from Scranton, Pennsylvania to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx is just over two hours long, with most of the journey in Interstate 80. But they might as well start calling much of the highway the Nestor Cortes Expressway based on how often he's traveled between the cities lately.

Because of CC Sabathia's balky knee, Cortes is allowed to make the trek back to join the Yankees (in Baltimore, this time) before the required 10 days have passed since his demotion.

Prior to today’s game, the Yankees recalled LHP Nestor Cortes Jr. (#67) from @swbrailriders.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 23, 2019

With Sabathia placed on the 10-day injured list due to knee inflammation, Cortes has been called back up to the Yankees, for the third time in less than two weeks. In each of the previous two times, he has been optioned back to the Triple-A club fairly swiftly

Cortes has two big league appearances in 2019, with two innings pitched on May 11 and another four innings on May 19. He allowed three runs in both relief outings, accumulating an ERA of 9.00. His Triple-A ERA currently stands at 4.54.

In addition to Chad Green (possibly opening Fri in Kansas City), the Yankees could use Luis Cessa, Jonathan Holder, Nestor Cortes Jr. and David Hale in opener roles until they get CC Sabathia back. Another reason James Paxton's potential return to rotation next week looms large.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) May 23, 2019

Cortes could see action for the Yankees as early as Friday at the Royals in a game that the bullpen is expected to play a large role in.

It should be interesting to see if Cortes can use his craftiness to play his way into a more permanent stay on the 25-man roster, or if another quick return to Scranton is ahead.