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Phillies Sign Nestor Cortes After Rehab, Add Starter Depth

8/19/2026

33 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Phillies signed left-hander Nestor Cortes to a contract on August 19, 2026 after he completed rehab from October 2025 left-arm surgery and is healthy.
He was a 2022 All-Star with the Yankees and in 2025 posted a 2-4 record, 6.29 ERA, 1.63 WHIP for Milwaukee and San Diego.
The deal adds depth, letting the Phillies consider a sixth starter while clearing a 40-man and a 26-man roster spot.

History

Historical Context

The 1994–95 MLB strike began on August 12 1994, lasted 232 days and cut average attendance 20% in 1995. A settlement on March 2 1995 restored play but limited clubs to 40 active and 26 September players, forcing the New York Yankees to cut 12 veterans and save $45 million. The Phillies’ 2025 signing of Nestor Cortes shows teams still juggle those caps.

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Story summary

The Phillies signed left-hander Nestor Cortes to a contract on August 19, 2026 after he completed rehab from October 2025 left-arm surgery and is healthy.
He was a 2022 All-Star with the Yankees and in 2025 posted a 2-4 record, 6.29 ERA, 1.63 WHIP for Milwaukee and San Diego.
The deal adds depth, letting the Phillies consider a sixth starter while clearing a 40-man and a 26-man roster spot.

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