Nestor Cortes ‘grateful’ for time in NY as he pens Yankees goodbye

It was an all too familiar ritual for Nestor Cortes on Tuesday as he penned a goodbye message to Yankees fans on his Instagram account. 

The Yanks traded Cortes to the Brewers on Friday in a deal that brought Devin Williams to The Bronx, ending Cortes’ third stint with the Yankees organization. 

“Seems like I’ve written this too many times about NY. But I’m always grateful and proud of being groomed by the Yankee organization,” Cortes, 30, wrote in the post accompanied by several photos of him with the team over the years. 

“A city full of life and tremendous support from the fans. Where us as players leave everything out on the field regardless of the outcome because the city is breathing and living by every win. With such a unique journey.” 

Cortes was selected by the Yankees in the 36th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, leaving and coming back to the organization twice, returning in 2021 before exploding in the 2022 season, when he earned his first trip to the All-Star Game. 

He recorded a 2.44 ERA over 28 starts that year, becoming a fan favorite. 

Cortes dealt with shoulder issues that limited his time on the mound in 2023, but in 2024, he pitched a career-high 174 ⅓ innings with a 3.77 ERA in the regular season. 

The lefty, of course, was on the mound in Game 1 of the World Series when Freddie Freeman hit his walk-off grand slam. 

Cortes, in his Instagram post, reflected on his time with the Yankees. 

“I’d do it all over again if I had to,” Cortes wrote. “A 36 rounder in 2013.

“Through the years of being an organizational minor league pitcher, to having 3 different stints with the team, to becoming a MLB all star, and endless opportunities to prove myself time after time.”