Ex-Yankees star Nestor Cortes Jr. agrees to MLB deal with Phillies after disappointing 2025

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Key points

• But the Hialeah, Florida, native has previously been an All-Star-caliber pitcher, primarily during his run with the Yankees (2019-2024).
• After an injury-riddled 2023, Cortes returned to produce 30 starts for the Yankees before hitting the injured list weeks before the postseason.
• The Phillies (69-58) at present hold the NL's second wild card spot ahead of the Padres by 1.5 games.
• The well-traveled veteran posted a disappointing 6.29 ERA in 2025 – splitting the campaign between the Brewers and Padres – while missing time due to left biceps tendinitis.
• After two disappointing seasons in the organization, the Yankees re-signed Cortes to a minor league pact ahead of the 2021 campaign, and he cemented himself in the rotation.

In practice, a former Yankees All-Star is getting closer to a major league return.

Left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. This person has yet to pitch in 2026 after undergoing offseason surgery for a tendor tear in his throwing arm, agreed to a accord with the Phillies on Wednesday, The Post's Jon Heyman confirmed.

For context, the 31-year-old southpaw's new accord, first noted by Fansided, is reportedly a major league contract.

Cortes had posted a video to X on Tuesday showing himself throwing for major league scouts.

In practice, the well-traveled veteran posted a disappointing 6.29 ERA in 2025 – splitting the campaign between the Brewers and Padres – while missing time due to left biceps tendinitis.

He posted a solid 2.90 ERA as a swingman for New York that same year, and followed it up with a 12-4 record and 2.44 ERA in 28 starts in 2022 to earn his first All-Star nod.

He returned for the World Series and, in Game 1, surrendered a crushing walk-off home run to Dodgers star Freddie Freeman in his penultimate pinstripes appearance.

Cortes, along with top prospect Caleb Durbin, was traded to the Brewers that offseason in exchange for closer Devin Williams.

He will provide depth for a Phillies team that did not acquire a starting pitcher ahead of the trade deadline.

Given his long layoff from game action, Cortes is "going to need a little time to get ready, " per NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury.

In practice, the Phillies (69-58) at present hold the NL's second wild card spot ahead of the Padres by 1.5 games. They trail the Cubs by 6.5 contests.

For now, ex-Yankees star Nestor Cortes Jr. Agrees to MLB deal with Phillies after remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.