Brewers' major offseason acquisition nears return after second stellar rehab start

The Milwaukee Brewers are already riding high in the National League, and even more reinforcements could be on the way.

Left-handed starter Nestor Cortes, one of the club’s key offseason acquisitions, is inching closer to a return after making his second strong rehab start. The former Yankees southpaw has been sidelined since the early part of the season with a left elbow flexor tendon strain, an injury that landed him on the 60-day injured list and threatened to completely derail his first season in Milwaukee.

But now, Cortes appears to be on the mend — and he’s flashing the form that made him one of the more creative arms in the American League.

Brewers face tough rotation decision with Nestor Cortes nearing activation

Cortes recently took the mound for the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, tossing four scoreless innings while striking out two batters. He’s built up to 54 pitches (36 strikes), a clear sign that he’s trending in the right direction.

It sounds like Cortes will make at least one, possibly two more rehab starts following the All-Star break, as he’s still in search of higher velocity. After which the Brewers will likely have a decision to make — and not just about his health.

Once Cortes is activated, Milwaukee could be looking at a legitimate rotation surplus. Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff, and rookie phenom Jacob Misiorowski are all locked in. Jose Quintana has quietly stabilized the back end of the rotation, while Quinn Priester has more than held his own in Cortes’ absence, posting a 3.55 ERA across 17 appearances. That leaves Priester as the likely odd man out — not because of performance, but due to roster flexibility. 

Of course, there’s another angle to consider: the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline is looming at the end of the month, and Cortes, a pending free agent, could also become an asset on the market.

If Milwaukee feels confident in their depth and believes they can upgrade elsewhere — particularly in the bullpen or outfield — packaging Cortes in a deal isn’t out of the question. After all, his current rehab outings may not only be about returning to the mound for Milwaukee — they might also be doubling as a showcase for contenders needing a playoff-tested lefty.

Whether it’s by returning to the rotation or as a trade piece, Nestor Cortes is trending toward relevance in the second half. And in either scenario, he could play a pivotal role in shaping the Brewers’ postseason push.