New York Yankees left-handed starter Néstor Cortés Jr. has shown a knack for deceiving on the mound. But after an umpire called him for making a wrong move Tuesday, he decided to trick him a bit with his next pitch.
Cortés was starting for the Yankees against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Tuesday as his final tune-up before the start of the regular season when he decided to try a fast pitch against Jeimer Candelario.
But MLB’s new shot clock rules say a batter must be facing the pitcher before a pitch is thrown. Candelario was still looking toward home plate when Cortés made a flick. And, although the batter made contact, the umpire immediately declared the play dead and called a ball.
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Nestor Cortes of the New York Yankees throws during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 23, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (New York Yankees/Getty Images)
Cortés did not understand why that call was made, so he decided to mess with Candelario and the referee.
With about six seconds left on the shot clock, and Candelario facing him this time, Cortés went into a rope routine that Yankees fans watched all of last year. He lifted his leg and went into a complete slow-motion lag, turning to second base, facing first base, and finally firing the ball.
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Because Cortés committed to throwing a pitch within the shot clock rules, he was allowed to have Candelario wait in the batter’s box for his pitch. However, there were a few times last season where officials called the play dead because Cortés took too long to get into the pitch.
Cortés has always tried to keep hitters on their toes with awkward deliveries, whether it’s one like this or throwing a sidearm. Be that as it may, deception is an added element to his repertoire.
However, Cortés and all other MLB pitchers this season must abide by the shot clock, which will be set at 15 seconds after each pitch with no one on base and 20 seconds with runners on base. The rule was adopted to speed up the game and has been working in spring training. Games have lasted an average of two hours and 36 minutes, 25 minutes less than last year.
Nestor Cortes of the New York Yankees walks to the dugout during Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on October 23, 2022 in New York City. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a memo to all 30 teams before Opening Day that no major rule changes are planned heading into the season. And that’s despite suggestions to tweak the shot clock. So the shot clock rules will remain in effect, including an eight-second timer for batters to be «alert» on the pitcher or they will be called for a strike.
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«On the one hand, we are prepared to make adjustments based on input,» Commissioner Rob Manfred said on ESPN on Tuesday. «On the other hand, we want to give you a chance to see exactly how it plays out during an adjustment period in some regular-season games before we make significant changes.»
Néstor Cortés of the New York Yankees reacts in the dugout during a Grapefruit League game against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 14, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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The league will watch the fast pitch closely, as other pitchers such as New York Mets starter Max Scherzer have tried to do so under the shot clock rule. Yankees reliever Wandy Peralta took just over 20 seconds during a spring game to strike out a batter.