Yankees\’ Nestor Cortes Jr. Added To The IL Due To A Groin Strain! Matt Sauer Sets A New Record With 17 Strikeouts

On Thursday, the New York Yankees added their All-Star pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. on a 15-day IL following a strained groin. The 27-year-old felt some pain in his push-off leg during Sunday\’s game against Toronto. Nestor pitched six innings through the pain and wrapped his groin area during the final three. Now, the Southpaw pitcher hopes to get over his injury and return soon to contribute during the final regular season weeks and the playoffs. Cortes underwent an MRI to check the severity of his injury after he limped off the field. The 2022 All-Star revealed that he felt some discomfort in his leg during the game\’s second and third pitch. However, he did not think it was a big deal during the match.

However, Nestor Cortes Jr. felt fortunate that the injury came at this time instead of mid/late September going into the playoffs or October. He added, \”I\’ve got to take care of my body so I can be one of the guys when the playoff time comes around.\” The Yankees pitcher has been out since the game on Sunday and played light catch from 100-120 feet at the Oakland Coliseum. He also made 30-40 throws and is hoping to return back to the active squad in around 15 days. Cortes concluded, \”I think the fact that I\’m feeling pretty well. I don\’t think there will be any hiccups along the way.\”

Yankees\’ Prospect Sets A New Record With 17 Strikeouts For Somerset

On the other hand, Yankees prospect Matt Sauer put up a brilliant performance on Thursday night against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, playing for Double-A Somerset Patriots. Although the team lost by 4-0 in 10 innings at the TD Bank Ballpark, the 23-year-old struck out 17 batters. The Bombers chose Sauer as their second-round and 54th overall pick in 2017. Matt pitched five perfect innings, securing 17 strikeouts and setting a new record in the history of the Patriots, including the Atlantic League era. 

Moreover, the feat was the most strikeouts for any full-season starting pitcher in the minors and majors this season. Sauer started the game with five perfect innings, conceding just a single run in eight innings, leaving the team with a 2-1 lead. Center fielder Everson Pereira hit a two-run homer to get the patriots an early lead. A solo home run came from Sebastian Espino to cut off the lead during the first pitch of the sixth innings against Sauer. However, eventually, the game turned on its head, and Matt found himself on the losing end, despite a brilliant performance on Thursday night.