Cortes won't pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic after he revealed Monday that he sustaining a low Grade 2 right hamstring strain, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
Cortes' absence during the World Baseball Classic is a significant hit for Team USA, as he was expected to serve as one of the Americans' top starting options. The southpaw noted that he expects to be behind the Yankees' other healthy pitchers for at least a couple weeks as a result of the injury, but he remains hopeful to be ready to go for the start of the regular season, according to Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Cortes' progress over the next month and a half.