Phillies Add Veteran Left-Hander Nestor Cortes on One-Year Split Deal

The Philadelphia Phillies signed former All-Star left-hander Nestor Cortes to a one-year contract that pays $1.5 million while he is on the major-league roster and $250,000 when he is in the minors. As part of the agreement announced on Wednesday, the club optioned Cortes to its Class-A affiliate in Clearwater and designated right-hander Brian Keller for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

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Cortes, a 31-year-old veteran of eight major-league seasons, has not appeared in the majors since the early September of the previous season, when a left-biceps tendinitis ended his campaign. The prior year he posted a 2-4 record with a 6.29 ERA in eight starts for Milwaukee and San Diego, a season disrupted by a left flexor-tendon strain that sidelined him from April 4 until early August. He underwent surgery in October to repair a torn tendon in his throwing arm and missed the entire 2026 season. Over his career, Cortes is 35-25 with a 3.94 ERA in 94 starts and 49 relief appearances for Baltimore, the New York Yankees, Seattle, Milwaukee, and San Diego. He earned an All-Star selection in 2022, going 12-4 with a 2.44 ERA.

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The split contract allows the Phillies flexibility: Cortes can be built up in Clearwater before a potential call-up, with no immediate pressure to reach the major-league roster. The front office has not disclosed a timeline for a major-league debut, leaving open the possibility that Cortes could serve as a starter, a multi-inning reliever, or a swing-man depending on his recovery.

Former Yankees All-Star Nestor Cortes Joins Phillies

Interim manager Don Mattingly acknowledged the signing but offered limited detail.

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• “I just kind of heard about it last night,” — Don Mattingly, phillies interim manager

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• “Lately, I’ve been feeling pretty good, body and arm, arsenal’s been feeling pretty good,” — Aaron Nola

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• “Every time you get a good outing it’s obviously huge for the rotation and huge for the club,” — Don Mattingly, phillies interim manager

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The move comes as the Phillies ride a six-game winning streak, sitting 70-58 and holding the second wild-card spot, while pitcher Aaron Nola reported feeling “Lately, I’ve been feeling pretty good, body and arm, arsenal’s been feeling pretty good,” about his body and arm.

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