If there was one major need the Philadelphia Phillies failed to address at the trade deadline, it was in their starting rotation. A combination of underperformances from Andrew Painter and Aaron Nola, as well as a serious lack of depth in the high minors, has put tremendous strain on the stars of the pitching staff to keep this team afloat.
Now, don't get me wrong; the "Big 3" of Zack Wheeler, Christopher Sánchez, and Jesús Luzardo is as good as any in baseball. But if any of them were to go down with an injury or fall into a deep slump, it feels like the Phillies' championship hopes will go up in flames.
Which is exactly why depth of any kind is of the utmost importance right now. With all due respect to Alan Rangel and Brian Keller, the roster is in serious need of someone who can capably fill the "No. 6 starter" role.
Enter: Nestor Cortes.
Per sources, ex-Yankee Nestor Cortes is in talks with the Phillies on a free agent deal.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) August 19, 2026
Red Sox were involved some as Cortes has been working out for teams. He had arm surgery last fall.
Nestor Cortes signs with Phillies, granting rotation some long-awaited depth
Cortes' stock has dropped precipitously from its once-great heights, as the southpaw with a mercurial delivery hasn't been able to recapture his 2022 All-Star form in recent years. In fact, he's now probably best known for giving up a walk-off grand slam to Freddie Freeman in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series.
He's bounced around the league since then, holding injury-plagued stints with the Brewers and Padres last year before ultimately opting for a tendon repair surgery in his throwing arm. He recently returned to baseball activities, throwing for interested teams in various game and simulation settings.
— Nestor Cortes (@Cortes_1210) August 18, 2026
He looks healthy in the video he shared above, though we obviously don't have the numbers on his spin rate and velocity. If Phillies scouts are willing to sign off on the deal, it's a good bet that they liked what they saw in his throwing sessions.
According to FanSided's Robert Murray, it's a major-league contract, so Cortes will immediately be placed on the Phillies' 40-man roster. Expect him to quickly be shifted to the injured list so he can enjoy a ramp-up period that serves as a hybrid between spring training and a rehab assignment, but this makes it logistically easier to place him on the postseason roster once October rolls around.
With Painter still struggling and roughly 30 innings shy of the career high he set last year, Cortes could take his spot in the rotation down the stretch if the Phillies want to lighten the rookie's load after a rollercoaster rookie season. Alternatively, the veteran left-hander could slide into a long-relief role in preparation for bulk work in the playoffs.
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