Brewers' Nestor Cortes trade clouded by one lingering worry

When the Milwaukee Brewers traded Devin Williams to the New York Yankees, the assumption was that they would receive an established veteran starting pitcher in return to provide stability in the rotation, in exchange for their ace closer's final year of his team control.

That's exactly what happened, as the Brewers swapped Williams' electricity to the Yankees in exchange for lefty-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. (also in his final year of arbitration). They even received a bonus in infielder Caleb Durbin, a high-floor option. However, the traded is clouded by one lingering worry: Cortes' health.

While Matt Arnold and his team conducted an extensive medical evaluation on Nestor Cortes, one lingering concern heading into 2025 remains the health of his pitching arm. In 2023, a shoulder issue limited him to just 12 starts and forced an early end to his season in August. Additionally, last year, he admittedly rushed back from a forearm strain in just a few weeks in order to pitch in the World Series, raising further concerns about his long-term durability.

At the time, Cortes noted the risk, stating, “But if I have a ring and then a year off of baseball, then so be it.” The Brewers, his new team, certainly don't feel quite so nonchalant about it.

Injuries are one lingering worry regarding Nestor Cortes Jr.'s upcoming 2025 season with the Milwaukee Brewers

After an injury-filled 2023 season consisting of multiple rotator cuff strains, Cortes spent all his weekdays during the following offseason at the Yankees' training facility in Florida rehabbing his shoulder. His shoulder held up in 2024, but a new issue emerged, as a late-season flexor strain knocked him out of the initial rounds of the postseason.

After a brief period of rest and rehabilitation, Cortes weighed the benefits of pitching in the World Series against the risk of further injury. He ultimately chose the latter, but his decision resulted in a momentum-shifting home run allowed during Game 1 of the World Series.

While Cortes' decision to put his health on the line for the team may be viewed as admirable by some, his growing amount of injury troubles over the past two seasons is worrisome. 2025 is a pivotal year for him and Milwaukee, as he will be eligible for free agency upon season's end. There's now a risk that he may be incentivized to downplay injury concerns, push through them, and ultimately jeopardize both his own well-being and the team's success.