Yankees' Nestor Cortes 'Upset' over Relief Role, Calls Himself 'The Workhorse' for NY

Nestor Cortes did what was required of him to help the New York Yankees defeat the Chicago Cubs on Saturday by pitching out of the bullpen, but he wasn't happy he was asked to do so.

He said he was "upset" he was placed in the bullpen for his first relief appearance since 2021, per ESPN.

"Obviously I was upset," Cortes said. "I felt like I've been, amongst all the starters, the workhorse here. Once [Gerrit] Cole went down, they picked me to be the Opening Day starter—not necessarily the No. 1, but the Opening Day starter. I had to switch my routine there.

"Now they do this."

He isn't wrong about being the team's "workhorse" this season, as he leads the Yankees in innings pitched at 163.1. And he added 4.1 no-hit innings in an impressive showing out of the bullpen during the 2-0 victory over the Cubs.

While Cortes took the ball on Opening Day with Cole sidelined by an elbow injury and has been solid for the Yankees this season with a 3.97 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 147 strikeouts in those 163.1 innings, going to the bullpen is an unusual role for him.

The team can at least take solace knowing he will pitch from the bullpen again if needed.

"I'm never going to back down from a challenge," he said. "I'm never going to leave my teammates out to dry. You're always going to get my best effort, no matter if I'm happy or not.

"That's what I did today. I came out there and proved I can be put in any situation. From here on out, if that's my role, then I'll accept it."

ESPN noted he is scheduled to start for the Yankees next weekend against the rival Boston Red Sox, although his role will be "uncertain" after that with New York returning to a five-man starting rotation for the stretch run.

Even if he isn't thrilled with it, having the 2022 All-Star as someone who can fill in as a long reliever if needed gives the Yankees another weapon as they attempt to win the American League East and potentially set up a long playoff run.

They are a half-game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the division and still have a three-game set against the second-place team later this month.

New York finishes its three-game series against the Cubs on Sunday before returning home to face the Kansas City Royals for a three-game set.