These days, MLB might be out of action because of the off-season. But baseball has another high-stakes tournament to look forward to. The 2023 edition of the World Baseball Classis series is set to kick start early next year. And several MLB star is finding their way into the USA international baseball side. One of these names is that of the Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr.
Yankees\’ Nestor Cortes Jr. Representing USA Baseball Team!
Nestor Cortes has earned a seat among the finest pitchers in the USA thanks to his development into one of baseball\’s better pitchers. In the World Baseball Classic that will take place in the spring of 2023, the Yankees left-hander will represent Team USA, MLB confirmed on Tuesday.
Only two other pitchers have signed up for the rotation besides Nestor Cortes: Merrill Kelly of the Diamondbacks and veteran right-hander Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals, who was also revealed on Tuesday. In addition, to Nortes, players like Mookie Betts, Paul Goldschmidt, Mike Trout, and Nolan Arenado will also be a part of the USA team.
The 2023 WBC championship will be held on March 21 after pool play begins on March 8. Cortes will have to skip spring training for an unknown amount of time as a result. Nestor Cortes\’ innings total might increase if he pitches in the competition. In addition to recording a 2.44 ERA and being selected as an American League All-Star, Cortes. He is 27 years old and tossed a career-high 158 1/3 innings this year.
Cortes, a standout with the Yankees, received three votes for fifth place and placed eighth in the AL Cy Young voting. Nestor Cortes\’ last start of the season was shortened when he exited Game 4 of the ALCS because of an exacerbation of the groin issue he had previously had.
Fans Divided Over Adam Wainwright In USA\’s Team!
According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, Adam Wainwright will also be on Team USA. Three All-Star selections, two Gold Gloves, and a World Series championship are just a few of the many awards Wainwright has won over his career. However, the stalwart for the Cardinals has not yet participated in the World Baseball Classic.
The news that Wainwright would join the team has caused controversy among Team USA baseball supporters. One issue is that he is currently 41 years old. Adam has a respectable season in 2022 with a 3.71 ERA and an 11-12 record. But he could not participate in the postseason because of his difficulties in the latter part of the campaign.