Cortes set to rejoin Yankees, start this weekend

LATEST NEWS

Aug. 7: LHP Carlos Rodón (left hamstring strain) placed on 15-day IL; RHP Jonathan Loáisiga reinstated from 60-day IL; LHP Nick Ramirez recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre; RHP Deivi García designated for assignment
Rodón left Sunday’s outing against the Astros after tossing 2 2/3 innings, leaving the field with manager Aaron Boone and team trainers in the middle of an at-bat against Chas McCormick. After the game, Rodón said the removal was more of a precautionary measure, but he still landed back on the IL the following day. The left-hander is 1-4 with a 7.33 ERA in six starts after the Yankees signed him as a free agent this past winter.

García, a one-time top prospect, had pitched in two games for New York this season, both in relief. He allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings before being designated for assignment. Ramirez has a 2.48 ERA in 25 games in his first season for the Yanks. Loáisiga pitched in just three games before undergoing surgery for a bone spur in his elbow. He has a 3.53 ERA in 146 games spread over parts of six seasons.

“Just really has struggled to find that consistency,” Boone said of García. “He’s had some injuries that derailed him a little bit here and in different seasons. Really just struggled. Certain times the stuff would kind of come and go. Other times, the command was kind of an issue. … It’s tough but it doesn’t mean the end for him either. He’s still a young man and still an opportunity to get better.”

INJURY UPDATES

10-day and 15-day IL

LHP Carlos Rodón (left hamstring strain)
Expected return: Late August
Rodón hoped to avoid the IL, but the Yankees took a more cautious approach, placing him on the 15-day IL on Aug. 7. Manager Aaron Boone said the lefty has a “low-grade” hamstring strain, calling it “minor.” The Yankees are hopeful Rodón only spends the minimum 15 days on the IL, and he will continue throwing.

Rodón exited his start Aug. 6 against the Astros after 2 2/3 innings. He said he felt his hamstring “grab for a second” and that it felt like a cramp. He’s made six starts this season, his first with the Yankees, and has a 7.33 ERA in 27 innings. (Last updated: Aug. 7)

1B Anthony Rizzo (post-concussion syndrome)
Expected return: TBD
Rizzo was diagnosed with cognitive impairment after undergoing testing on Aug. 2, having complained of “fogginess” following a five-strikeout game on July 30 at Baltimore. According to Rizzo, doctors believe that Rizzo’s issues can be traced to a May 28 collision with the Padres’ Fernando Tatis, Jr. Rizzo is being treated with supplements and video exercises. His doctors are confident about a full recovery.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Rizzo, who was placed on the IL on Aug. 3, will be evaluated “week to week,” expressing hope that Rizzo can return this season. (Last updated: Aug. 3)

60-day IL

3B Josh Donaldson (right calf strain)
Expected return: Possibly September
Donaldson sustained a strain of his right calf on July 15 at Colorado and landed on the IL the next day. Two doctors evaluated the MRI results. According to Donaldson, team physician Chris Ahmad said that it appeared to be a “Grade 2-plus” and another doctor in Denver rated it a “Grade 3.”

Donaldson resumed on-field activities at Yankee Stadium on July 30, taking ground balls and batting practice, and said that he is feeling “better than I expected to.” Because he was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 20, Donaldson is not eligible to be activated until Sept. 15. (Last updated: Aug. 2)

C Jose Trevino (right wrist tear)
Expected return: 2024
Trevino had season-ending surgery to repair a torn TFCC ligament in his right wrist on July 27. Trevino said that he has been playing through the injury since Spring Training and knew that surgery was inevitable, but he had hoped to get through the season. Generally speaking, the recovery time for surgery is approximately 12 weeks. The Yankees placed Trevino on the 10-day injured list on July 21, retroactive to July 18. (Last updated: July 28)

RHP Frankie Montas (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly second half
Montas began a throwing program on May 30, according to pitching coach Matt Blake. Montas saw Dr. Neal ElAttrache for a follow-up visit on July 17, and everything is said to be looking good, manager Aaron Boone said.

Montas underwent arthroscopic surgery on Feb. 21 in Los Angeles, a procedure performed by ElAttrache, who cleaned up the hurler’s labrum. Montas said that he “for sure” expects to pitch in the big leagues this season. Recurring inflammation in the shoulder affected Montas last season with the Athletics and Yankees, and he said that he “wasn’t fully 100 percent” when New York acquired him in a six-player trade on Aug. 1. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 3. (Last updated: July 17)

RHP Ryan Weber (right forearm strain)
Expected return: TBD
Weber has opted for a conservative route of treatment that will include a platelet-rich plasma injection and rehab. Season-ending Tommy John surgery remains a possibility. Weber felt discomfort near his right forearm and elbow during a June 2 appearance against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, especially after snapping off an eighth-inning slider to Miguel Rojas.

“I wasn’t myself out there toward the end of the outing, and I felt like I couldn’t compete with what was going on,” Weber said. “I had to speak up, and definitely something is barking in there.”

Weber underwent an MRI on June 3, when he was placed on the 15-day injured list. He was examined by Dr. Christopher Ahmad in New York on June 6. “We all know what it could be, but I’m not going to think any of that right now,” Weber said. (Last updated: June 13)

RHP Luis Gil (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Second half of 2023
Gil underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2022, and he’s expected to return to the mound sometime during the second half of the ‘23 season. Gil’s recovery was said to be going well as of May 1. Gil resumed throwing in the bullpen on May 19 in Tampa, Fla. He was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 30. (Last updated: June 3)

RHP Lou Trivino (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Trivino underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on May 3 in Los Angeles, with Dr. Neal ElAttrache performing the procedure. Trivino experienced discomfort near his right elbow after an April live batting practice session, which shut him down from throwing. He saw team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad in New York on April 26 and traveled to Los Angeles for a second opinion on May 1. (Last updated: May 3)

RHP Scott Effross (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2024
Effross underwent Tommy John surgery in October 2022 and began a throwing program on March 6. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on May 1 that Effross’ recovery is going well. Given the typical timeline of 12-18 months, Effross is expected to miss the entire 2023 season. He remained behind in Tampa, Fla., when the team headed north. Effross was placed on the 60-day injured list on March 30. (Last updated: May 1)