Cortes (shoulder) said Wednesday that he's preparing to return from the 60-day injured list this weekend against the Astros, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Cortes had been scheduled to make his third and final minor-league rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but he instead arrived in the Yankees clubhouse ahead of their series finale against the Rays and seems to have completed his recovery from the rotator cuff strain that sent him to the IL in late May. Luis Severino is currently listed as the Yankees' starter Friday versus Houston, but that could change given how badly he's struggled. The Yankees may also look to have Cortes start Saturday and get piggybacked by Domingo German, who tossed five innings in relief after being scratched from his start Monday against the Rays. Per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Cortes said he'll be limited to around 60 pitches in his return to the Yankees, so if he starts, he could struggle to reach the five innings he would need to qualify for a win.