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New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes shows off lockout workout

By Kevin Henry

Sep 9, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) delivers against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) delivers against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Just how exactly are Major League Baseball players staying in shape during the current lockout? New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. gave fans some insight into that question on Instagram.

New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes Jr. posted a workout video that will get Yankees fans fired up

The New York Yankees southpaw, who turned 27 earlier this month, showed he’s getting ready for the 2022 season with an impressive Instagram workout video that he captioned with the phrase, “Let’s go!!!!”

Cortes was a bright spot for the Yankees last season, posting a 2.90 ERA, 3.78 FIP, and 1.075 WHIP in 93 innings covering 22 games (including 14 starts). He also struck out 103 in those starts, including 11 in a dominant performance against the Baltimore Orioles on September 15, dropping his batting against average number to .209.

It’s been a long and winding road for Cortes to this success. He made 33 appearances for the Yankees in 2019 but struggled with a 5.67 ERA. In the offseason, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for international bonus pool money but never did much in Seattle, throwing just 7.2 innings and racking up a 15.26 ERA in the process.

New York, however, saw something in Cortes that they liked, and signed him to a minor league deal when he became a free agent in the offseason prior to the 2021 campaign. He didn’t pitch again for the Yankees until May 30 last year but, with injuries to the rotation and his strong performances when called upon, he became a big part of the Yankees making the postseason.

He’s also become a favorite with fans, earning the nickname “Nasty Nestor” and wearing it with pride.

"“It’s awesome,” Cortes said of the shirts in this article. “I was saying to my friends, ‘When you get a shirt like that, it’s like you finally made it.’ It’s fun to wear those and have teammates around you that support you.”"

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Cortes looks like he is getting ready for spring training, whenever that begins. Lockout or not, Nasty Nestor is trying to get even nastier for 2022 and whatever role he plays for the Yankees.

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