Nestor Cortes sһіftіng temрorаrіly to bullрen аs Yаnkees рunt on rotаtіon сrunсһ

The Yankees are essentially punting the decision on their rotation crunch down the road, but with Nestor Cortes changing roles one time through in the interim.

Cortes will pitch in relief this weekend against the Cubs as a piggyback, likely behind Clarke Schmidt on Saturday, though manager Aaron Boone left the door open for him to pitch behind Luis Gil on Friday.

Following Gil and Schmidt, who will both be starting for the first time since coming off the injured list, Gerrit Cole will start Sunday’s series finale at Wrigley Field, followed by Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman on Monday and Tuesday against the Royals.

Nestor Cortes is temporarily shifting to the bullpen.

Cortes is then expected to slot back into the rotation next week against the Red Sox (in a four-game series that starts on Thursday in The Bronx) as the Yankees use a six-man rotation one time through before deciding which starter will come out of it down the stretch — assuming everyone stays healthy.

“I think it just lines up the best way that way, having to get two people integrated back in and Clarke wanting to get built up,” Boone said Tuesday at Globe Life Field. “And with the off day [Thursday], not wanting to push too many people back on seven days, eight days, whatever. I think this made the most sense. 

“Nestor will go back into the rotation in the Boston series and coming out of that we’ll go six that first time, assuming everything’s fine and good. And then at some point, hopefully we’ll have a decision to make because a lot of people are posting and doing well.”

Boone said Cortes, who has experience as a reliever, took the news “alright.”

Cortes is shaping up to piggyback Clarke Schmidt.

“He wants to start, but he also wants to win,” Boone said. “He’ll be a pro. And again, he’s not out of the mix as a starter.”

As for how the Yankees will ultimately make the decision on which starter comes out of the rotation, Boone indicated it would not be based strictly on results.

“A lot of it will come down to results, fit, opponent, that kind of thing,” he said.