Nestor Cortes is willing to risk it all for Yankees World Series shot

Nestor Cortes knows the risks he is taking by trying to pitch in the World Series, just a month after being diagnosed with a left elbow flexor strain.But the Yankees left-hander also knows how important he could be out of the bullpen against the lefty lane at the top of a Dodgers lineup that includes Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy.So after sitting down and discussing it all with the Yankees, his agents and his family — with the 29-year-old one year away from free agency — Cortes is ready to take a shot.“We have weighed in the consequences that this can lead up to, but if I have a ring and then a year off of baseball, so be it,” Cortes said with a chuckle on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.Of course, Cortes still has to wake up Wednesday morning feeling good after throwing 28 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday afternoon.That will be the final hurdle before the Yankees can feel comfortable adding him to their roster for the World Series that begins Friday at Dodger Stadium.But as far Cortes is concerned, he believes he will be ready to go.“I guess the way I’ve gone about it is I could probably pitch this World Series and be good and then come into spring training and blow out and not expect it,” Cortes said.

“So the World Series is a once-in-a-lifetime thing — hopefully not for this team, but given the circumstances, knowing how important this is and not only wanting to pitch but I feel like there is a need in my left hand and facing those left-handed batters over there, it’s going to be important for me to be healthy and be effective.“I don’t want to just be here because I want to play in the World Series.I want to be here because I am gonna help this team potentially win a World Series.

If I’m healthy and ready to go — which I think I am — I think I’ll be able to contribute to this team.”Cortes was diagnosed with the flexor strain — which can sometimes be a precursor to Tommy John surgery — on Sept.25, at which point...