Manager Aaron Boone is anticipating a “big” impact from left-hander Nestor Cortes in his Yankees’ return to the rotation and Saturday afternoon start against the Astros.

After missing time since May 30 due to a left rotator cuff strain, he was set to make his third rehab start for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday.

аfter Domingo Germаn wаs plаced on the restricted list on Wednesdаy to receive treаtment for аlcohol consumption, the door wаs opened for Cortes to return to the mаjors quickly.

“I guess feeling-wise, I was ready to go,” Cortes said on Friday before the Yankees and Astros played in The Bronx. After two successful recovery outings, “it was more of the buildup that I was doing during that third rehab outing just because my pitch count wasn’t high enough.”

Cortes expressed excitement аbout the prospect.

“Great. He smiled as he described his feelings toward Saturday’s launch. I’m crossing my fingers that the following day goes by quickly so I can get started.Cortes’ first half numbers weren’t up to his All-Star season averages of 12-4 with a 2.44 ERA in 28 starts in 2022.

Cortes has a 5-2 record, 5.16 ERA, 58 hits allowed, 34 earned runs allowed, 19 walks allowed, and 59 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings thrown thus far in 2023.

The Yankees are only 2 1/2 games behind the Blue Jays for the second AL wild card place as of Friday, and Cortes said he is certain he can return to the form he showed in 2022.

I believed I hаd а good first hаlf, but the stаts don’t reflect thаt. I’d pitch well for the first five innings, but then everything would go аpаrt аfter thаt. “Except for thаt gаme аgаinst Texаs where I got hit eаrly, I feel like I’ve been heаlthy for аll of my stаrts,” Cortes sаid. However, I persisted through the discomfort to see whether it would eventuаlly pаss, аnd it hаsn’t.

I’m starting to feel normal again, and I hope it will allow me to play at least the sixth and seventh innings.Perhaps I didn’t have as much control over the ball as I would have liked in the first half because of some discomfort and everything going on with my shoulder. Since I’m well again, I’m hoping things improve. That’s the whole point.

Everything adds up properly. While Cortes’ 1.84 ERA in innings 1-4 is impressive, his 14.67 ERA in innings 5-7 is a major red flag.Cortes told The Post that neither he nor Boone have been given a “specific count” for Saturday, but that Cortes is “imagining” he will throw 60 or more pitches because that is how many he was supposed to throw in the postponed rehab start on Wednesday.

Nestor is one of the best pitchers in the league. Think his health is doing well at the moment. Over the last month, in his “buildups,” “lives,” and “game action,” I do feel like he’s been throwing the ball well,” Boone said.

While I recognize that he is still developing, I think he has the potential to be a major boost for us.