LOS ANGELES — The Yankees’ World Series roster looks nasty.
That’s because Nestor Cortes has made the cut. The lefty is returning from a flexor strain in his left elbow, which landed him on the injured list on Sept. 25.
Despite some long-term risks coming with such a quick comeback, Cortes wanted a chance to contribute in the Fall Classic.
“We have weighed in the consequences that this can lead up to,” Cortes said after throwing to live hitters earlier this week, “but if I have a ring and then a year off from baseball, then so be it.”
Cortes is expected to pitch out of the bullpen, where he could be used as a weapon against the Dodgers’ left-handed hitters. That includes Shohei Ohtani.
The Japanese superstar is 2-for-12 with zero extra-base hits against Cortes.
With Cortes on the Yankees’ roster, here’s how the rest of the group looks with the World Series set to start on Friday night.
Catchers (2): Austin Wells, Jose Trevino
Wells hasn’t hit much this postseason, but the Yankees have stuck with the rookie while sparingly using the veteran Trevino. Odds are that won’t change in the World Series.
Infielders (5): Oswaldo Cabrera, Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Rizzo is still playing with broken fingers, but he looked solid at the plate after returning for the ALCS. Volpe, meanwhile, is swinging the bat as well as he ever has since the postseason began.
The Yankees need to get more out of Chisholm, who entered the World Series with a .147 average this October. Meanwhile, Jon Berti was left off the roster after filling in at first base earlier in the postseason.
Outfielders (5): Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Jasson Domínguez, Trent Grisham
With Judge getting his first crack at the World Series and Soto awaiting free agency, all eyes will be on the Yankees’ biggest superstars.
Verdugo, meanwhile, began his career with the Dodgers. The plan is for him to keep starting in left field, as he’s done all October.
DH (1): Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton is fresh off an ALCS MVP performance. Now the proven postseason slugger gets to play in the World Series stage in his own backyard, as he grew up in Los Angeles.
Pitchers (13): Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Jake Cousins, Tim Hill, Tim Mayza, Nestor Cortes, Mark Leiter Jr., Marcus Stroman
Cole, another Yankee with SoCal roots, will start Game 1. Rodón will follow in Game 2, while Clarke Schmidt will start Game 3.
With Cortes on board, the Yankees opted for three lefties in their pen, as he joins Hill and Mayza. That southpaw depth could come in handy with the Dodgers employing a few formidable left-handed swingers.
