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3w ago

Phillies Sign Nestor Cortes to One-Year Split Contract

The deal places Cortes on the 40-man roster and sends him to Class A Clearwater so the club can build him back from October arm surgery while adding low-cost pitching depth.

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Oct 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates after hitting a grand slam home run in the tenth inning against the New York Yankees during game one of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Sep 3, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (65) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images
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Overview

  • The Phillies agreed Wednesday to a one-year split major-league/minors contract for left-hander Nestor Cortes that pays $1.5 million at the MLB level and $250,000 in the minors.
  • Philadelphia added Cortes to its 40-man roster, optioned him to Class A Clearwater to begin a controlled ramp-up, and designated right-hander Brian Keller for assignment to open the roster spot.
  • MLB.com reported the deal was pending a physical before the club’s announcement, and the team plans to use Cortes as flexible depth rather than an immediate rotation fixture.
  • Cortes is rehabbing from October 2025 surgery on his throwing arm and has not pitched in the majors since Sept. 3, 2025, so the Phillies expect him to start in the minors and potentially provide long relief, swingman work, or a stretched start later in the season.
  • The signing gives Philadelphia low-cost veteran insurance for a thin back end of the staff without trading prospects and buys the club time to assess Cortes’ readiness for meaningful late-season or postseason use.