FORT MYERS, Fla. — Nestor Cortes did not blame the cleats, but he didn’t credit them, either.
After a statistically poor but physically encouraging spring outing on Saturday, Cortes announced that the cleats he wore — jean cleats that were made of denim and included an etched-in Nike swoosh — would be retired.
“I’m trying to throw a little flair in there,” said Cortes, who had requested custom shoemaker Soles by Sir to design him something with denim. “I don’t think a lot of people liked it.”
Cortes could smile because he came through a third Grapefruit League start feeling OK after shoulder issues sidetracked his 2023 season and part of his offseason.
The Yankees lefty was charged with six runs on nine hits with a walk and six strikeouts in 3 ¹/₃ innings in a 10-7 loss to the Twins at Hammond Stadium in a line that looked worse than it was.
Several fly balls found grass on a windy and sunny day, including a would-be flyout from Byron Buxton that became a three-run triple because center fielder Greg Allen couldn’t locate the ball.
Cortes’ command was not pinpoint — manager Aaron Boone said he couldn’t hit the top of the strike zone with his four-seamer — but he said his stuff and shoulder felt fine.
He pitched parts of four innings (he was pulled 24 pitches into his second inning but reappeared for the third) and reached 62 pitches.
“The goal coming here was to get my pitch count up again, get four ups, got into the low 60s. And the best part about it was, I came out healthy,” Cortes said. “Happy with where I’m at right now, as far as body-wise. Probably a few pitches there that I could have commanded better, but other than that [I was happy].”
A 2022 All-Star, Cortes made just 12 mostly ineffective starts last season when rotator cuff issues kept popping up.
Cortes took November off from throwing, then began building up in December but the shoulder continued bothering him.
He worked with the Yankees’ trainers to build up the shoulder and thus far has recovered well, although he acknowledged Sunday would be significant for him.
He needs to continue to bounce back after starts.
“I’m pleased with where he’s at,” Boone said.
Nick Burdi, a reliever who has been a camp standout, rolled his ankle on a chaotic play in the sixth inning.
First baseman Oswaldo Cabrera camped in foul territory behind the base to catch a pop-up, then sprinted toward the mound as the wind took hold of the ball.
Cabrera dove, the ball fell, and Burdi also ended up on the ground in what became an infield single.
Burdi remained in the game. Boone said the righty was icing his ankle but was OK.
The Yankees optioned catcher Agustín Ramírez to Double-A Somerset.