Phillies to sign former Yankees starting pitcher to big-league deal, report says

Former Yankees starter Nestor Cortes will join the Phillies organization down the stretch, according to a report.

The veteran left-hander will sign a big-league deal with Philadelphia, Robert Murray of FanSided reported Wednesday. MassLive’s Chris Cotillo first reported that Cortes and the Phillies were in discussions.

The 31-year-old Cortes has not pitched this season after undergoing surgery on his pitching arm last October. He spent the 2025 season with the Padres and Brewers, posting a 6.29 ERA in eight starts. Cortes spent the previous four seasons in New York, his fifth overall as a Yankee in his career, and had a 3.33 ERA in 489 innings from 2021 to 2024. He was an All-Star in his career-best 2022 season.

The Phillies (69-58) did not acquire a starting pitcher at the trade deadline, so Cortes could potentially serve as a depth piece for the rotation, a possible long man in the bullpen or a combination of both roles as a swingman. The impending move could be similar to the one the team made for veteran Walker Buehler last August.

Buehler was released by the Red Sox after an unsuccessful stint in Boston. He signed a minor-league deal with the Phillies, made one start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and joined the major-league club in September. Buehler pitched three games for Philadelphia — two starts and one bulk relief appearance — and allowed just one run. He was on the postseason roster but did not pitch in the National League Division Series loss.

Cortes could slide into that type of role for the Phillies as they push to secure a playoff spot. Perhaps he could go on some sort of optional or rehab assignment in the minor leagues before he heads to Philadelphia. But it will remain to be seen how he’ll look after not playing all year.