NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 23: Nestor Cortes #65 of the New York Yankees walks back to the dugout after being relieved from the mound in the third inning against the Houston Astros in game four of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 23, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees had to pull starting pitcher Nestor Cortes from Game 4 of the ALCS due to injury.
The New York Yankees had some positive momentum to start Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday night. They carried a 3-0 lead on RBI singles by Giancarlo Stanton and Gleyber Torres and a one-run double by Anthony Rizzo. But then, things unraveled in The Bronx.
Starting pitcher Nestor Cortes had a concerning third inning, as he walked Martin Maldonado and Jose Altuve to start. He was visited by the team trainer before Altuve’s at-bat but remained in the game. Cortes then surrendered a game-tying, three-run homer to rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena.
Right after the home run, Cortes was pulled from the game. Reliever Wandy Peralta entered the game to replace Cortes.
Why Nestor Cortes was pulled ALCS Game 4
It was pointed out that Cortes’ velocity was down in the third inning. Katie Sharp of Stathead tweeted out that Cortes’ four-seam fastball velocity was measured at 91.0 mph through the first two innings. Then, in the third, the velocity dropped to 88.3 mph.
Later on in the game, the Yankees announced that Cortes suffered a left groin injury.
During a mid-game interview with TBS’ Lauren Shehadi, New York Yankees manager revealed that Cortes had been dealing with the groin issue since the first day of the postseason.
The Yankees did surrender another run in the third inning on a single hit by Yuli Gurriel, giving Houston a 4-3 lead.
Cortes recorded two strikeouts and three walks while surrendering two hits in 2.0 innings.
So for Yankees and baseball fans wondering what happened to Cortes that forced him to exit earlier than the Yankees had expected, he suffered a groin injury.
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