Nestor Cortes could be added to roster if Yankees make it to World Series

CLEVELAND — If the Yankees advance to the World Series — and their chances certainly look good as they own a 2-0 lead over the Guardians in the ALCS with Game 3 scheduled at Progressive Field Thursday night — there’s a good chance lefthander Nestor Cortes will be added to the roster.

Cortes, who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 18 because of a flexor strain in his elbow, threw a live batting practice session early Wednesday afternoon at the Stadium before the Yankees traveled to Cleveland.

“He's got steps to go and he's got to continue to feel good and bounce back and things like that, but the way it's gone to this point has been encouraging,” Aaron Boone said Wednesday on a Zoom call. “I think he's at least a realistic option. Not saying for sure, but the timeline lines up to where if things go well, he could definitely be an option [for the World Series].”

Cortes went 9-10 with a 3.77 ERA in 30 starts this season and was particularly good before getting hurt, going 4-0 with a 1.58 ERA over his last seven games (six starts).

“Feel good,” Cortes said late Tuesday night in the clubhouse after the Yankees beat the Guardians, 6-3, in Game 2. “Really good.”

Cortes is slated to throw another live BP this weekend, likely on Saturday.

“He could potentially have two or three,” Boone said of live BP sessions. “If we were to get through this series, it would potentially set him up to have a good body of work under him to potentially be an option if we're able to [advance].”