**Yankees Start Postseason Without Ace Nestor Cortes Due to Elbow Strain**

The New York Yankees will commence their postseason campaign without key pitcher Nestor Cortes, who was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left elbow flexor strain. This decision came just hours before he was set to start against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. According to Cortes, he has been experiencing tenderness near his elbow for approximately three weeks, with significant discomfort arising during a bullpen session in Oakland last Sunday. An MRI conducted on Wednesday prompted the decision to temporarily shut him down.

Despite the setback, Cortes remains hopeful that rest and rehabilitation may allow him to return if the Yankees make a deep playoff run. For now, he will refrain from throwing for a period of seven to ten days and will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection to aid recovery. "My main focus is to come back and help this team," Cortes emphasized. While his ulnar collateral ligament appears to be intact, the MRI results are being sent to Dr. Neal ElAttrache and Dr. Keith Meister for further evaluation.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has not entirely ruled out the possibility of Cortes returning in October, despite the challenging circumstances. "He's been throwing the ball so well and has put together a really good year," Boone remarked. "We certainly feel for him right now. We just have to pick up the slack and support him right now, and then see what we have over the next several days."

In the wake of Cortes' injury, right-hander Marcus Stroman was called upon to fill his spot in the rotation for the game against the Orioles. Additionally, right-hander Cody Poteet was promoted from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Boone expressed confidence in Stroman, stating, "He's ready to go, excited to get the ball... He's had a really good year for us, and he's a big reason why we're in this position."

Cortes' injury comes shortly after he pitched six scoreless innings in a crucial 2-1 win over the Mariners at T-Mobile Park, securing the Yankees' spot in the postseason. He ends the regular season with a 9-10 record and a 3.77 ERA across 31 appearances, pitching a career-high 174 1/3 innings.

With the Yankees gearing up for the postseason, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are expected to start the first two games. Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt are versatile options, either as starters or bullpen contributors. Stroman's recent shift to the bullpen suggested his postseason role would involve relief duties, though that may change based on his performance.