Phillies reportedly signing Nestor Cortes to major-league deal
Sep 3, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
The Phillies are in agreement on a major-league contract with free-agent pitcher Nestor Cortes, pending a physical.
Robert Murray of Fansided first reported the news Wednesday morning, while Chris Cotillo of MassLive first reported that the Phillies were “in talks” with Cortes.
Cortes had undergone surgery in October of 2025 to repair a torn tendon in his left biceps/throwing arm. The surgery required nine to ten months of recovery. Ten months later, Cortes is signing with the Phillies.
The 31-year-old last pitched for the San Diego Padres in September, splitting last season between San Diego and the Milwaukee Brewers. In eight starts, Cortes posted a 6.29 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP across 34.1 innings. He spent his first five seasons with the New York Yankees, with his best coming in 2022, when he went 12-4 with a 2.44 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 158 1/3 innings. His prevailing season earned him his lone All-Star selection and an eighth-place finish in AL Cy Young voting.
The Phillies signed Walker Buehler to a minor league contract on August 31 of last season after he was released by the Boston Red Sox. Buehler joined the Phillies’ rotation down the stretch of the season. This signing could be similar to that. However, unlike last season, the Phillies have a full rotation set, with both Aaron Nola and Andrew Painter at the bottom pitching well as of late. Cortes will provide depth for the final 35 games of the season and in the playoffs. We could also see the Phils utilize a six-man rotation to preserve their three-headed monster — Zack Wheeler, Jesus Luzardo, and Cristopher Sanchez — come October.
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin Goldstein is a Sports Media major at Temple University and an aspiring sportscaster and journalist. Since 2017, he has covered Philadelphia sports as the founder, editor, writer, and podcast host of Philly Sports Reports. In addition, Benjamin interned with the WBCB Sports Network on 1490 AM and served as the lead broadcaster for Pennsbury Athletics for four years. Through his coverage and media work, he has had the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and was recognized as KYW Newsradio’s Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week.
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