Phillies to Sign Nestor Cortes to Major League Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly signing former Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes to a major league deal as they approach the end of the season.

Cortes, a 31-year-old left-hander, has not pitched this year due to surgery on his pitching arm last October. He previously played for the Padres and Brewers in 2025, recording a 6.29 ERA over nine starts. During his four seasons with the Yankees from 2021 to 2024, he achieved a 3.33 ERA in 489 innings and was named an All-Star in 2022.

The Phillies, currently with a record of 69-58, did not acquire a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Cortes may serve as a depth option for the rotation or as a long reliever. This move could mirror the signing of Walker Buehler last August, who also transitioned from a minor league deal to the major league roster.