Nestor Cortes' return to Yankee Stadium with the Milwaukee Brewers was disastrous, as he allowed five home runs, leading to a 20-9 defeat against his former team. The Yankees showcased their power early, with Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge hitting three consecutive homers on Cortes' first three pitches. Judge, who had a stellar game with three home runs and eight RBIs, noted the players' familiarity with Cortes, and manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Cortes's ability to recover. Despite the loss, Boone emphasized that it's just one game in a long season.

The Brewers traded for Cortes after he was part of a deal that sent closer Devin Williams to the Yankees. However, his performance raised questions about his readiness, as he struggled with control, issuing five walks and allowing eight runs in just over two innings. Manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the emotional aspect of facing his former team may have affected Cortes's performance.

The New York Yankees made a significant statement against their former teammate Nestor Cortes in his debut for the Milwaukee Brewers, hammering four home runs in the first inning. Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge all went deep consecutively on three pitches, followed by a fourth homer from Austin Wells. Cortes, who had a stellar 2022 season with a 12-4 record and a 2.44 ERA, struggled after injuries limited him to just 12 outings in 2023. This game marked a tough return for him, as he walked two batters and struck out another, ending a disastrous first inning.

Goldschmidt and Bellinger's homers were notable since it was their first game as Yankees after being acquired in the offseason, highlighting their potential impact on the team. Goldschmidt batted leadoff for the first time in his career, showcasing the Yankees' aggressive approach in this game. The Yankees’ offensive display indicates their readiness for the season and raises questions about how Cortes will recover from this outing.

The New York Yankees made a bold offseason trade, sending Nestor Cortes and prospect Caleb Durbin to the Milwaukee Brewers for Devin Williams, one of MLB's top relief pitchers. Cortes had been a key rotation piece for the Yankees, but concerns over his durability led New York to prioritize a stronger bullpen. Williams is seen as a perfect fit to strengthen the Yankees' late-game performance.

Cortes, a fan favorite, posted a 3.77 ERA over 174.1 innings last season, while Durbin showed promise in spring training. The Yankees, facing injuries to their rotation, opted for immediate impact over long-term potential. As the 2024 season progresses, fans eagerly anticipate how this trade will unfold, especially with Cortes set to face his former team shortly.

Nestor Cortes made his return to Yankee Stadium as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, reflecting on his time spent with the Yankees. Having been traded less than four months prior, he found himself unfamiliar with the stadium's layout. Cortes was traded alongside infield prospect Caleb Durbin for closer Devin Williams, a move he anticipated given the Yankees' surplus of starting pitchers like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón.

As Cortes prepares to face his former teammates, he cherishes the memories made during his four-year stint with the Yankees, where he achieved a 3.33 ERA and earned an All-Star selection in 2022. His connection to the Yankees remains strong as he supports childhood friend J.C. Escarra, who made the Yankees' Opening Day roster. Excitement mounts for both players as they prepare to compete against one another.