Cortes had been a core member of the Yankees for the past few years, now he has to face the guys he calls friends. It will be the first time he has to face Aaron Judge, who he is close friends with, and who he avoided facing the only other chance they had to face each other. Technically, Cortes has faced Aaron Judge at the plate before.

The New York Yankees played—and won—on Opening Day with heavy hearts after the death of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner's 14-year-old son Miller, who tragically passed away after falling ill on a family vacation in Costa Rica.

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge said former teammate Brett Gardner has been ‘on my mind’ following the sudden death of his 14-year-old son, Miller