Yankees' Nestor Cortes Placed on Injured List

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes is undergoing an MRI on his left elbow, putting his playoff availability in question. Cortes, who was slated to start against the Baltimore Orioles, has been placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to September 22 due to a left-elbow flexor strain. The injury comes at a crucial time as the Yankees are on the verge of clinching the AL East. Cortes has been a key player, leading the team in starts and innings, and posting a 1.58 ERA in his last 40 innings. Marcus Stroman and Cody Poteet are expected to step in during his absence. The Yankees will have to wait for the MRI results to determine Cortes' status for the postseason.