Philadelphia Phillies add to pitching depth with rare August signing

Sixteen days after the Philadelphia Phillies' trade deadline, the team bolstered their pitching staff by solidifying a deal for left-hander Nestor Cortes on August 19. The 31-year-old pitcher, who has been sidelined since September 3, 2025 following a biceps tear surgery, joined the team with a major-league contract.

Cortes, a former Yankees left-hander, is known for his distinctive delivery, often standing with his right leg raised during his wind-up. His career ERA stands at 3.94 over eight seasons, with his best season coming in 2022 when he posted a 2.44 ERA over 158 ⅓ innings for the Yankees, earning an All-Star Game appearance. Last year, Cortes registered a 6.29 ERA in eight starts with the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres.

As of now, it remains uncertain how Cortes will fit into the Phillies' rotation during the remaining month and a half of the season. The team has been grappling with starting pitching depth, frequently utilizing bullpen games to fill the fifth spot. In mid-July, they recalled Andrew Painter to serve as the fifth starter, posting a commendable performance with a 3.77 ERA in 31 appearances (30 starts) for the Yankees in 2024.

Should an injury befall the rotation, Cortes is likely to be the first option in the rotation, replacing minor-leaguers Alan Rangel and Brian Keller. In the meantime, he could serve as a middle reliever or a sixth starter to alleviate pressure on the rotation during the playoffs. Following the signing, the Phillies added Walker Buehler, who started twice in the final games of the season.