Cody Bellinger delivered the news everyone was waiting for Sunday, declaring he felt “100 percent” in his first game back for the Yankees after their 8-3 win against the Toronto Blue Jays. That health update was a huge development after New York wrapped up the three-game series victory, a major lift as they push through the season.
Bellinger Shakes Off the Rust, Feels ‘100 Percent’
This guy hadn’t played since July 25 when a left hamstring strain sidelined him on the 10-day injured list. But after Sunday’s action, Bellinger emerged totally healthy. He was clear: “I felt really good. Honestly, I felt like 100 percent. Running after those balls and on the bases, I felt really good.” His afternoon at Yankee Stadium started a bit rough, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. But then he bounced back with a leadoff single in the seventh inning to go 1-for-4.
Manager Aaron Boone saw it too, noting Bellinger was “expanding a bit early on” but then got into a good count and “smokes the ball up the middle.” Boone called it “a good way for him to kind of finish in his first game back.” Bellinger agreed, saying he felt “a little jumpy early on,” but “in that fourth at-bat I was able to settle down a little bit.” It was “nice to get some results in the first and obviously to get the win as well.” Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s two-out homer in the same inning scored Bellinger, padding New York’s 7-2 lead. Through 103 games this season, Bellinger is slashing .259/.349/.418 with 11 home runs and 53 RBI.
Carlos Rodón Wants More, Even After Progress
On the pitching side, Carlos Rodón made his second start back from an IL stint that had him out since June 28 with left elbow inflammation. He again went four frames on Sunday, following up his last Tuesday start where he threw 39 strikes on 66 pitches in a 3-1 win. This time, Rodón threw 76 pitches, 42 for strikes, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits, while striking out two and walking two.
Even with the progress, Rodón isn’t satisfied. “It’s good,” he said, “Obviously, there’s some things I want to refine and obviously be in the zone a little more, crisper with strikes and just attacking and getting ahead. So, there’s things I can work on.” Boone is optimistic, saying Rodón is “in a really good place” physically and hopes he “continues to get a little bit sharper” as he builds up. The team is definitely expecting him to be a “key contributor” moving forward.
So, what’s next? Bellinger gets Monday off before the Yankees (74-56) kick off a three-game series against the Houston Astros with Tuesday’s 7:05 p.m. opener in the Bronx. Rodón is lined up to start Saturday’s 1:05 p.m. game against the Boston Red Sox as part of a big four-game series at Yankee Stadium. Two key guys coming back online at a crucial time for the squad. You gotta love to see it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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