Nestor Cortes Jr. isn’t one to dwell on the past. After a 2023 season marred by injuries, the New York Yankees’ pitcher is focused on the future. Since early December, he’s been a regular fixture at the team’s Tampa facility, pushing himself in workouts and bullpen sessions. The goal? To not only be ready for Opening Day but to make a statement with his performance.

Cortes isn’t the only Yankee turning heads this Spring Training. Carlos Rodón has hit new levels of velocity, and so has Clarke Schmidt—a tantalizing hint at the power they bring to the rotation. With these signs of renewed strength, could this be the year the Yankees make a long-awaited championship run?

Cortes has been a regular at the New York Yankees’ Tampa facility since before Christmas, diligently building his strength and readiness, according to a YES Network interview. He’s already up to four live bullpen sessions and expects to be ready for both Opening Day and one of the team’s Mexico City outings.

“I’ve been here for two months and a half now,” Cortes explained in the interview. Emphasizing his work with trainers and strength coaches, he stated, “I wanted to…make sure that I checked every box…make sure I was doing every exercise right, every rep right.” His goal? To reach an ambitious 30 starts this season. Thankfully, he isn’t the only ace of the New York Yankees who has been making improvements this season!

Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodón is another spring training standout. According to team insider Bryan Hoch, Rodón recently touched 97 mph on the radar gun, significantly higher than his average fastball velocity of around 92 mph that was seen last spring.

Watch This Story: The Yankees’ Off-Season Analysation Reveals Every Phase It Went Through, Including The Ugliest

A new season, a new hope for the New York Yankees

Cortes is bullish on the Yankees’ rotation. “Yeah, it’s solid all around,” he said. He didn’t forget to cite Clarke Schmidt’s strong second half last year, along with the ever-dominant Gerrit Cole and the impact of new addition Marcus Stroman, as crucial to the team’s success.

“Hopefully, (we) mirror the bounceback to power this rotation and go somewhere we haven’t been in a really long time,” he concluded.

The New York Yankees aim to put a disappointing 2023 season behind them, and Nestor Cortes Jr. is central to those plans. His commitment during the offseason is already producing results. Alongside a rejuvenated Carlos Rodón and an overall deep rotation, it looks like the Yankees are more than ready to be a force to be reckoned with in 2024.

Read More: New York Yankees’ Rotation Is Ready for 2024 Season, Further Star Signings Unlikely as Spring Training Nears