Pitcher Nestor Cortes undergoes arm surgery

Published: Friday, October 17, 2025 at 2:53 am

Nestor Cortes Undergoes Arm Surgery, Impacting Free Agency

New York - Veteran pitcher Nestor Cortes has undergone surgery on his throwing arm to repair a tendon tear, according to reports. The procedure comes after a season marked by injury and diminished performance, casting a shadow over his upcoming free agency.

Cortes is expected to be sidelined for nine to ten months, meaning he won't resume baseball activities until around the All-Star break. This timeline significantly impacts his availability for the upcoming season, potentially delaying his return to the mound until late in the year, likely as a reliever.

The 30-year-old southpaw struggled throughout the season. He was traded from the Yankees to the Brewers, where he gave up five home runs in his debut. He then went on the injured list with a flexor strain, his second such injury in as many years. After a rehab assignment, he was traded to the Padres.

Cortes' performance didn't improve with San Diego. He posted a 5.47 earned run average across 26 1/3 innings, and was shut down again in early September due to a biceps strain. His fastball velocity was down, and opponents hit his fastball at a high rate.

Despite the injury and struggles, Cortes is still expected to command a major league contract in free agency. Similar to pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery, he could potentially secure a backloaded two-year deal or a one-year contract with a team option.

BNN's Perspective:

While Cortes' recent injury history and performance are concerning, his past success and the current market for pitching suggest he will still find a team willing to take a chance. A team looking for a veteran presence and a potential late-season boost could be a good fit.

Keywords: Nestor Cortes, surgery, injury, free agency, pitcher, tendon tear, Brewers, Padres, fastball, contract, MLB, baseball, rehab, reliever

Full Story