Cody Bellinger is finally heading back to the lineup, and thank goodness, because the New York Yankees offense is flat-lining, big time. Manager Aaron Boone spilled the beans on Sunday, saying Bellinger, who’s been sidelined since July 25 with a hamstring strain, starts a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday. The plan? He’ll play two games, then could get activated for or during the home series against the Blue Jays starting August 21. This dude can’t get back fast enough.
Bellinger’s Bat and Glove Are Coming Home
Think about it, this is a three-time All-Star we’re talking about! The 31-year-old Bellinger has been putting in work all season, giving the Yankees strong glove work in the outfield and quality production at the plate. He’s got a .259 average, 52 runs, 11 homers, 53 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 102 games. Plus, his 115 OPS+ says it all, he’s a legit contributor. The Yankees desperately need that kind of impact right now. He’s been sidelined since July 25, and they’ve been in a rough spot ever since.
The Bronx Bombers Can’t Hit a Beach Ball
Seriously, the Yankees offense is in a free fall. Since Bellinger went down, this team is batting a dismal .204/.281/.354 as a group. That’s just brutal. And let’s not even get started on Aaron Judge, who hasn’t played since May 31 with a stress fracture in his rib cage and has no timetable for return. His loss is crushing, but the numbers since Judge got hurt are wild: New York ranks 29th among MLB’s 30 teams in runs scored. They’ve only scored five runs or more *three times* in August! This isn’t just a slump, it’s an implosion. They’re sitting at 68-55, second in the AL East, 6 ½ games behind the Rays. They might be holding onto that top wild-card spot for now, but the rival Red Sox are only two games back.
Bellinger’s return could be the spark this team so obviously needs. They’ve got the Blue Jays series kicking off August 21, and they absolutely need Bellinger’s bat in that lineup to try and turn this thing around.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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