What happened: The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a major league contract with left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes on Wednesday. Cortes has not pitched in 2026 after undergoing offseason surgery for a tendon tear in his throwing arm. The club optioned him to Single-A Clearwater to begin a ramp-up period.

Why it matters: Philadelphia adds an experienced arm for the stretch run after opting not to acquire a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. Cortes provides rotation depth as the team attempts to solidify its postseason positioning.

What to watch: Cortes will require time in the minors to rebuild his arm strength before joining the active roster. Philadelphia evaluates his progress while navigating the final weeks of the regular season.