Nasty Nestor is on his way back to the big-leagues.
The Philadelphia Phillies signed former all-star Nestor Cortes to an MLB contract on Wednesday and optioned the left-hander to single-A Clearwater.
To make room for Cortes on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated reliever Brian Keller for assignment.
Cortes, 31, last pitched in the majors in 2025, spending time with the Milwauke Brewers and San Diego Padres. Between the two stops, he posted a 6.29 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 34.1 innings.
The five-foot-10 southpaw spent the previous four seasons with the New York Yankees and earned an AL all-star nod in 2022.
Philadelphia will hope Cortes can make it to the majors later this season as it pushes for a wild-card spot in the National League.
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