Nestor Cortes had a comically bad return to Yankee Stadium

Matt Hanifan / MLB / March 29, 2025

Nestor Cortes had a comically bad return to Yankee Stadium

It’s safe to assume that when New York Yankees fans hear the name “Nestor Cortes Jr.,” a sour taste may appear in their mouths.

In Game 1 of the 2024 World Series between the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Aaron Boone inserted the southpaw, who hadn’t pitched in over a month, into the game in the 10th inning with the bases loaded against Shohei Ohtani.

After forcing a flyout and intentionally loading the bases with two outs, Cortes allowed a game-winning Grand Slam to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Earlier this offseason, the Yankees traded Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for closer Devin Williams. Ironically enough, the two teams opened the 2025 MLB Season against one another with the 30-year-old taking the bump for the first time against his former team.

Lo and behold, he had a laughably bad debut … becoming the first pitcher in MLB to allow three home runs on the game’s first three pitches. Paul Goldschmidt led it off, followed by Cody Bellinger and reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge.

WHAT A START FOR THE @YANKEES!!!

3 pitches, 3 home runs!! pic.twitter.com/xWqAqH9X0y
— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2025

This is the first time a team has hit home runs on the first three pitches they saw since pitch counts have been tracked (1988) https://t.co/fVxL9SUcsO
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 29, 2025

Yankees catcher Austin Wells capped-off a four-run first inning by clobbering a 372-foot opposite field homer–his second big fly in as many days–which was only the start of a 20-9 onslaught from New York.

Heading into Saturday, there was going to be plenty of emotion from everyone involved. The emotion for one side was pure elation. It was so bad for him that Cortes, who finished the game allowing eight earned runs with five walks over just two innings, left without speaking to the media after the game.

Nestor Cortes left Yankee Stadium without speaking with the media, according to a Brewers official.
— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) March 29, 2025

It wasn’t a fruitful 2024 season for the one-time All-Star–especially with how it ended. His pitch against Freeman was the last he threw in pinstripes, and the team in pinstripes still ultimately got the last laugh.

“That was a punch-you-in-the-mouth right there,” Boone said, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “It was definitely a raucous situation, and good to see the guys swing the bats like that.

“Once that happens, I want him to have a great year, and there’s no reason he won’t go and have a great year. I know how competitive he is. You’re going to take your lumps in this game if you play long enough. It’s just one game, so he’ll be all right.”