I think this season so far has been nothing but concerning when it comes to this team. The Yankees are no strangers to injuries, but even this season started with an aggressive bite from the injury bug. It's been a bad start and being at the bottom isn't fun at all. So now everything is magnified.
So is it too soon to be concerned about Nestor Cortes? No. Last year we were all mesmerized by "Nasty Nestor" and I even thought he deserved to be the number 1 starter against the Astros. Fast forward to this season and Nestor looks Nasty for the opposite reason.
Look, his start against the Rays was nasty ugly and the Yankees need to get him back on track yesterday. He should thank his team that the offense bailed him out on Saturday, because without the resurgence of the bats he would've pitched himself to a loss instead of a no decision. The Yankees need the old Nasty Nestor back and he has some work to do to get there.
I've seen a lot of chatter on social media that "the league has caught up to Nestor" and now he's just not fooling anyone. I don't think that is it, that explanation is just too simplistic for me and pitching coach Matt Blake doesn't believe that either.
Pitching is all about the mechanics and command. Both of which have been off for Nestor so far this season. I don't want to think last year was just an anomaly. I think Nestor is off his game, his command is off and major league hitters will feast off of that. Right now he can't pitch a third time through the order effectively, it becomes batting practice. Opposing hitters are 15-for-33 with four doubles and an MLB-high-tying six homers in the third turn versus Cortes which is a .455 BA. That's a nasty we just can't have. He needs to work on the mechanics, the endurance and the command and I am hoping he and Blake are going to figure that out.
I still believe in Nestor, I think he can do it. I don't think he is a flash in the pan and he can be the pitcher we saw last season....but he's got a lot of work ahead of him. Bring back that other Nasty Nestor....we need him now more than ever!
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