Injuries & Moves: Cortes set to throw live BP
LATEST NEWS
Oct. 18: RHP Mark Leiter Jr. replaces Ian Hamilton (left calf strain) on ALCS roster
Major League Baseball announced on Friday that it has approved a roster substitution for the New York Yankees due to an injury sustained by Hamilton. As a result, Hamilton was replaced by Leiter on New York’s roster. Dr. Gary Green, MLB’s medical director, confirmed the injury after a full review of the medical information.
Hamilton was injured when he got caught in an awkward play at first base in the bottom of the sixth inning of ALCS Game 3 and left before throwing another pitch. He was covering the bag after first baseman Jon Berti bobbled a ground ball initially, and while Daniel Schneemann was originally called safe at first, the call was overturned by a Yankees challenge. Hamilton then tried to throw a warmup pitch with the trainers and manager Aaron Boone observing, but sailed it over catcher Jose Trevino’s head to the backstop and looked very uncomfortable spinning out of his delivery.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Nestor Cortes (left elbow flexor strain)
Expected return: Possibly World Series
The Yankees were tempted to activate Cortes as a mid-series replacement when Ian Hamilton sustained an injury during Game 3 of the ALCS, but decided that it would be too aggressive to skip steps in the lefty's recovery. He is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Oct. 19 in Cleveland.
"What he had is real enough to not want to skip steps and put him in a bad career position," manager Aaron Boone said. "If we get through this, I think he is definitely in play [for a World Series roster spot]."
Cortes was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 25, retroactive to Sept. 22, after an MRI revealed a strain. Cortes said he had been experiencing tenderness near his pitching elbow for about three weeks, but the discomfort intensified during a Sept. 22 bullpen at Oakland, prompting the exam. Cortes said on Sept. 25 that he would be shut down for about 7-10 days and also was scheduled to receive a platelet-rich plasma injection. He said the MRI appeared to show that his left ulnar collateral ligament was intact, though the imaging would be sent to two doctors for additional opinions. (Last updated: Oct. 18)
INF DJ LeMahieu (right hip impingement)
Expected return: Possibly October
LeMahieu has been participating in on-field drills during the first postseason rounds and is said to be moving better, but the Yankees have not selected him for their ALDS or ALCS rosters. LeMahieu received a cortisone injection in his right hip on Sept. 12. His hip issue was lingering for several weeks before he landed on the IL, affecting his ability to rotate his hips and generate power at the plate. He said that surgery has not been discussed. (Last updated: Oct. 14)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP JT Brubaker (recovery from Tommy John surgery, oblique strain)
Expected return: 2025
Brubaker made three September appearances with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, marking a return to the mound after he sustained an oblique injury while making a fielding play during a July 11 Minor League rehab start for the RailRiders. The injury interrupted Brubaker’s recovery from Tommy John surgery performed on April 12, 2023. He was acquired from the Pirates on March 29. (Last updated: Oct. 4)
RHP Jonathan Loáisiga (right UCL tear)
Expected return: 2025
Loáisiga underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in April. Dr. Keith Meister was selected to perform the procedure, with Loáisiga saying that he expected an estimated recovery time of 10 to 12 months. Loáisiga was placed on the 60-day injured list on April 5, retroactive to April 4. He is a potential free agent entering the 2024-25 offseason. (Last updated: Oct. 4)
RHP Lou Trivino (recovery from Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Trivino's Minor League rehab assignment was shut down due to shoulder issues, manager Aaron Boone said on Sept. 22. Trivino's last appearance for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre was on Sept. 13. His recovery from Tommy John surgery performed in May 2023 was stalled by a bout with right elbow inflammation in April. (Last updated: Sept. 22)
OF Everson Pereira (right UCL tear; No. 10 on the Yankees top prospects list)
Expected return: 2025
Pereira underwent reconstructive Tommy John surgery with an internal brace in early June, manager Aaron Boone said on June 14. Pereira had been playing through the injury at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, last appearing for the RailRiders on May 14. Boone said Pereira’s injury was “unfortunate,” but that similar to Jasson Domínguez, it is one the organization expects him to bounce back from. “This isn’t something that’s going to hurt his career too much," Boone said. "He should come back full strength from this.” (Last updated: June 15)