New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes injured his thigh ahead of the start of spring training and was excluded from the U.S. team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
MLB.com said on the 14th (Korean time below), ‘Cortes is not participating in the upcoming WBC because of second-degree pain in his right hamstring,’ and ‘but he is optimistic that he will be able to match the opening of this regular season.’
On the 7th, he injured his hamstring while running at a practice field near his home in Miami, Florida, and will stop pitching training for at least two weeks.
Cortés said, “I was really looking forward to the WBC. I wanted to represent the U.S. team.” “The U.S. is a country that gave me many opportunities to get to where I am today. It’s so disappointing and sad,” he expressed deep regret.
Cortés was born in Cuba, but immigrated to the United States with his parents as a child and holds American citizenship. He was selected by the Yankees in the 36th round overall of the 2013 draft.
As a result, the number of Yankees participating in the WBC has been reduced to three: catcher Kyle Higashioka (USA), right-hander Jonathan Loaiciga (Nicaragua), and infielder Gleiber Torres (Venezuela). Compared to other clubs, the Yankees have been criticized for being uncooperative with the selection of the WBC team.
The U.S. team replaced Cortes with Colorado Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland. Freeland went 9-11 with a 4.53 ERA in 31 starts last season. Freeland, who came from the 1st round of the 2014 draft, was spotlighted as a prospect to lead the major leagues by posting 11-11 losses and an average ERA of 4.10 in 2017 and 17-7 losses and an average ERA of 2.85 in 2018. there is.
MLB.com added, ‘Cortez has been doing pitching training and weight training so far, so I believe he will have enough time to prepare for the opening of the season.’ 슬롯사이트
“I was rehabbing in Miami during the offseason (from last summer’s groin injury),” Cortes said. My concern is health. Currently, I am healthy and I think I am following the training well.”
Cortés had his best season since his debut, posting a 12-4 record and a 2.44 earned run average in 28 appearances last year.
Out of the five Yankees starters, only Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Luis Severino normally receive spring training. Earlier, Frankie Montas is expected to have a hard time opening the season with a shoulder injury.