Dan

Cortes

Cortes was inked to a minor league deal in early January but wasn’t able to pass the necessary medical tests when he showed up to spring camp a couple weeks ago. The 24-year-old right-hander’s contract has been voided.

Cortes was non-tendered by the Mariners last month after posting an ugly 5.91 ERA in 10 2/3 major league innings during the 2011 season. The 24-year-old right-hander will act as organizational relief depth for the Nats.

Cortes, 24, wasn’t even arbitration-eligible this winter, but the move makes him a free agent. The hard-throwing right-hander had a disappointing 5.91 ERA and 3/6 K/BB ratio in 10 2/3 innings with the M’s this past season. He had surgery in late October to repair a partial tear of rotator cuff and biceps tendon, so his status for spring training is in some doubt. Still, some team will surely take a chance once he proves his health.

Cortes suffered the injury Thursday in an “off-field incident,” according to the Mariners’ public relations people. He should be back to throwing in about a month and should be fine by spring training next February.

Cortes had signed a minor league deal with the Nationals last winter, but the deal was voided when he couldn’t pass his physical. The 26-year-old didn’t pitch professionally in 2012, and posted a 5.91 ERA in 10 2/3 innings with the Mariners in 2011.

Cortes hadn’t pitched since April 18 because of a strained left quad.

Cortes, clearly the top pitching prospect the Royals have left in the minors with Luke Hochevar up, had a 1.35 ERA in three starts before getting hurt.

Cortes has allowed nine runs and 14 hits in 4 2/3 innings to date. The 21-year-old right-hander entered the season right there with Luke Hochevar as the Royals’ top pitching prospect, and he was pretty solid in the Texas League, finishing 10-4 with a 3.78 ERA, 103 H and 109/55 K/BB in 116 2/3 IP. He shouldn’t be fatigured after such a modest workload.

Cortes tossed a scoreless inning in his lone appearance with the big club back in May. He’s struck out 45 in 37 innings for Tacoma but also posted a 5.35 ERA while walking 6.6 per nine innings. The righty will work the middle innings.

Cortes, 23, turned in a 5.23 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 96 1/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. He will be used as a middle reliever down the stretch.