The New York Yankees activated two starting pitchers Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gill from IL last weekend against the Chicago Cubs. Both the starters delivered exceptional performances to fetch a series victory for the team. However, manager Aaron Boone irked his team with key pitching staff decision.
The Yankees had no space to accommodate both Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil in the starting rotation. Yet, Aaron Boone inducted both the starters in at the cost of veteran left handed starter who was visibly upset with the call. The lefty, though he pitched four scoreless innings on Saturday, voiced his resentment against the team’s decisions.
Nestor Cortes Blasts Aaron Boone In Media For His Bullpen Demotion
On the eve of Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, the New York Yankees activated Clarke Schmidt from IL and penciled him in as a rotation starter. LHP Nestor Cortes was instead pushed to the bullpen to piggyback Schmidt. While Schmidt delivered a scoreless 4.2 innings start, Cortes also pitched 4 scoreless innings in relief to steer the Yanks to a 2-0 shutout victory. However, Nestor Cortes wasn’t pleased with the bullpen decision, as he called out team management in the post-game interview. Cortes said that he had been the workhorse all season long, and he already changed routine once when the Yanks promoted him as opening day starter in the absence of ace Gerrit Cole.
While Nestor Cortes was upset, he affirmed that he would not back down from a challenge. The pitcher added that he wouldn’t let his team hang out in the dry just because some decisions go against him. “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,” Cortes said. Notably, the adjustment is believed to be temporary as Cortes is likely to be reinstated in rotation this week. With that series win, the New York Yankees are back in sole possession of the AL-East top spot and possess a 0.5 game lead over the Baltimore Orioles. The next couple of weeks are crucial for the Yankees as the division battle gets fierce each day. Hence, when stakes are this high, having upset players in the clubhouse is not an ideal situation to be in. Hopefully, Aaron Boone will be able to resolve the difference at the earliest.
Yankees Skipper Responds To Nestor Cortes’s Criticism
Meanwhile, after Nestor Cortes’ explosive interview went viral, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone responded to the criticism and said that he does not expect everyone to be happy with his decisions. That’s the part of playing in a competitive environment, and as a manager, he is bound to make tough decisions.
“There comes a time when you got to make difficult decisions and then it is on all of us, the players, to go out there and do your job and be a pro,” Boone said. As a player, Aaron Boone expected Nestor Cortes to come out with the same energy and the bullpen, and he was seemingly impressed with Cortes’ scoreless outing.
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