Cortes allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings Thursday against Seattle. He did not factor in the decision.
The left-handed hurler finished with his second straight five-inning start after spending most of the beginning of the campaign in the bullpen. He gave up a season-high five hits in addition to three walks but navigated around the frequent baserunners to hold Seattle to two runs. Cortes has posted a 2.15 ERA on the season and has found success as a fill-in starter, but his time in the rotation is likely contingent on the return timeframes of Gerrit Cole (COVID-19), Jordan Montgomery (COVID-19), Domingo German (shoulder) and Corey Kluber (shoulder). In addition, Luis Severino (groin/elbow) has started a minor-league rehab assignment and could make his long-awaited return to the big club in the coming weeks.