The Yankees have found their Opening Day starter.

Aaron Boone announced on Friday that Nestor Cortes will toe the rubber when the Yankees begin their season on March 28 against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Cortes fills the void left by Gerrit Cole, who is expected to miss at least the next month or two as he recovers from an elbow injury – although it will not require surgery at this time.

Boone ruled out Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman as Opening Day options on Thursday, citing it was too late to change their spring schedules, leaving either Cortes or Clarke Schmidt.

Cortes figures to be a crucial factor in the Yankees’ rotation, even prior to Cole’s injury.

The southpaw had a breakout season in 2022, becoming a fan favorite and All-Star but struggled in just 12 starts last year while missing most of the season due to injuries.

If Cortes can regain his 2022 form, it would make a huge difference in the trajectory of the Yankees’ season.

However, he has not looked great this spring, allowing nine earned runs on 17 hits while striking out 13 over 10 innings in three appearances. Most of the damage came in his last outing vs. the Twins, in which he allowed six runs on nine hits over 3.1 innings.