Cody Bellinger is back in the New York Yankees lineup after a 25-game stint on the injured list for a strained left hamstring, and this dude wasted no time showing up big. Taking his spot batting cleanup and starting in left field, Bellinger went 1-for-4 with a single and a run scored as New York handled the Toronto Blue Jays with an 8-3 victory. What a way to come back, right?
That $162.5 Million Swing Returns Early
This wasn’t just any return; this was a comeback ahead of schedule. Bellinger originally suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on July 25 while running the bases after drilling a double against Philadelphia. The initial word was he’d be out for four to six weeks. But instead of playing it safe and holding back one of their most crucial bats, manager Aaron Boone confirmed the organization was “Very excited” about his progress. Boone praised his “pretty good rehab process” and how he “got tested well enough the last two nights.” You gotta love a player who pushes hard to get back on the field, especially when the team needs him this much.
This Bat is Key in the AL East Scramble
Listen, the Yankees did alright without their big money outfielder, pulling together a 14-11 record during his absence. That’s not bad, but let’s be real, you need every weapon you can get when you’re trying to chase down the Tampa Bay Rays in a tight American League East division. Bellinger brings that dangerous bat. Before hitting the IL, he was absolutely dialed in, boasting a .372 average over his final 12 games. For the season, he’s sitting at a .259 average with 11 dingers and 53 RBIs in 102 games. Plus, let’s not forget he crushed it last year with a .272 average, 29 homers, and 98 RBIs, which earned him that sweet five-year, $162.5 million contract this offseason. Oh, and he snagged All-Star Game MVP honors on July 14 in Philadelphia too. The only thing missing? The long ball. He entered Sunday on a 31-game homerless streak, his second-longest ever, but the Yankees are betting on that power returning with him.
Roster Moves To Make Room For A Weapon
To make room for Bellinger’s big return, the Yankees optioned utility player Max Schuemann to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Filling in during Bellinger’s time off was Heliot Ramos, who started 15 games. Ramos might still see some opportunities in right field, especially against left-handed pitching, which is a smart move to keep fresh bats in the lineup. But the main story? It’s all about getting that proven weapon, Cody Bellinger, back in the thick of it at exactly the right moment.
This return is a total game-changer for the Yankees as they battle for every inch in the American League East. Getting a player of Bellinger’s caliber back, healthy and ready to roll, just injects a massive dose of energy and talent into that lineup. Keep your eyes peeled, because with him back, the chase for the Tampa Bay Rays just got a whole lot more intense. Can he get that power swing back and ignite this team? You know we’ll be watching!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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