Nestor Cortes Hits the Injured List as Padres’ Rotation Faces New Challenge
The San Diego Padres’ pitching staff is grappling with yet another setback as they announced on Friday that left-handed starter Nestor Cortes has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to September 4. The diagnosis? Left biceps tendinitis.
Cortes, who has been a pivotal part of the Padres’ rotation, seemed to aggravate the injury during his last appearance on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles. In that game, things spiraled out of control for the lefty. He allowed six runs on seven hits, which included an alarming four home runs, while walking three batters in just 2.1 innings of work. It marked his shortest outing of the season and underscored the challenges the Padres’ rotation has faced lately.
Impact on the Rotation
With Cortes sidelined, the Padres find themselves in a precarious situation. The rotation has been struggling to maintain consistency, and losing a key arm like Cortes is a blow to their aspirations. The team must now look to other pitchers to step up in his absence, which could lead to a reshuffling of roles within the bullpen or even a call-up from the minors.
Cortes’ recent performance only adds to the concerns surrounding the pitching depth in San Diego. The team has already dealt with injuries to other starters throughout the season, and this latest development raises questions about their ability to remain competitive as the season winds down.
Looking Ahead
As the Padres navigate through this difficult stretch, the focus will shift to how quickly Cortes can recover and return to form. The hope is that this stint on the injured list will allow him to heal adequately and return to contribute to the rotation in a meaningful way. For now, the Padres must rally together and find ways to bolster their pitching staff as they aim to keep their postseason hopes alive.
