Cortes added, Berti off World Series roster
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LOS ANGELES -- The Yankees announced their World Series roster prior to Game 1 against the Dodgers on Friday night in Los Angeles, selecting left-hander Nestor Cortes and removing infielder Jon Berti, who is unavailable due to a right hip flexor strain.
The 29-year-old Cortes, who surrendered the walk-off grand slam in the 6-3 Game 1 loss, had not pitched in a game since Sept. 18 due to a left elbow flexor strain. Earlier this week, Cortes said that he was willing to risk injury for the opportunity to win a championship.
¡°We have weighed the consequences that this can lead up to,¡± Cortes said before Game 1, ¡°but if I have a ring and then a year off of baseball, then so be it.¡±
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Cortes was 9-10 with a 3.77 ERA in 31 games (30 starts) this season, ranking second on the team in innings (174 1/3) and third in strikeouts (162).
In the World Series, he¡¯ll be used in relief, likely with the assignment of neutralizing tough Dodgers lefties like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy.
In Game 1, Cortes retired Ohtani on a flyout -- aided by Alex Verdugo's incredible tumbling catch into the stands -- before Freeman hit the walk-off shot.
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¡°Coming out of the bullpen, I¡¯ll be restricted to throwing 20 to 30 pitches, so they¡¯re not going to bring me in to face three righties,¡± Cortes said. ¡°I know those are the guys I¡¯m going to face. It¡¯s a tough task, but I know I¡¯m able to do it.¡±
Berti was on the Bombers¡¯ roster for the first two rounds of the postseason, seeing action at first base, second base and as a pinch-runner. He was 2-for-11 with a run scored and a walk in four games.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Berti sustained the injury running the bases in ALCS Game 4, and he was not available to play in the series finale.
¡°Unfortunately, time ran out for him to be ready. So that's a blow for us,¡± Boone said. ¡°I feel for him because he was playing a really important role for us, especially in those first two rounds.¡±
Here is the Yankees' 26-man roster:
PITCHERS (13)
Gerrit Cole
Nestor Cortes
Jake Cousins
Luis Gil
Tim Hill
Clay Holmes
Tommy Kahnle
Mark Leiter Jr.
Tim Mayza
Carlos Rod¨®n
Clarke Schmidt
Marcus Stroman
Luke Weaver
CATCHERS (2)
Jose Trevino
Austin Wells
INFIELDERS (3)
Anthony Rizzo
Gleyber Torres
Anthony Volpe
OUTFIELDERS (6)
Jasson Dom¨ªnguez
Trent Grisham
Aaron Judge
Juan Soto
Giancarlo Stanton
Alex Verdugo
UTILITY (2)
Oswaldo Cabrera
Jazz Chisholm Jr.