Cody Bellinger is officially back on the field for the New York Yankees after missing 25 games with a strained left hamstring. The All-Star outfielder returned to bat fourth and start in left field Sunday, his first action since July 25 when he pulled up running the bases after a double in Philadelphia. That Grade 2 strain kept him out for what the Yankees projected would be four to six weeks, and now he’s rolled back into the lineup, ready to contribute.
What Bellinger’s Return Means for the Yankees’ Lineup
Yankees manager Aaron Boone sounded pumped before the series finale against Toronto, saying, “Very excited. He’s had a pretty good rehab process here and he’s got tested well enough the last two nights and obviously been able to get a handful of at-bats here. So I feel like he’s ready to roll and excited to get him back.” Bellinger has put up solid numbers this season, hitting .259 with 11 homers and 53 RBIs in 102 games. While he was out, the Yankees managed a 14-11 record, a decent stretch, but they’re still three games behind the Rays in the AL East. His return means new acquisition Heliot Ramos, who started 15 games in Bellinger’s absence, will likely shift to right field against left-handed pitchers. To make room, Max Schuemann, who was hitting .194 in 42 games, got optioned back to Triple-A. Schuemann had only just been recalled Friday when Ryan McMahon went on the IL with a sprained left thumb.
The Rollercoaster Season and That Homerless Streak
Let’s be real, it’s been a bit of a mixed bag for Bellinger this season. After re-signing for a massive $162.5 million over five years last winter and being named the All-Star Game MVP on July 14, you expect a consistent powerhouse. He started the season batting a rough .228 in the first month, especially after Aaron Judge went down with a stress fracture in his right rib. Then, he got hot, hitting .372 in the 12 games right before his injury. But here’s the kicker, and it’s a big one: Bellinger entered Sunday with a 31-game homerless streak. That’s the second-longest of his career, and it’s definitely something he’ll want to snap quickly. Last season, he hit .272 with 29 homers and 98 RBIs, so we know what he’s capable of. The Yankees need that guy back, not the one stuck in a power drought.
Bellinger is back, and the Yankees are right in the thick of things, trying to chase down the Rays in the AL East. His bat, and hopefully his power stroke, will be crucial as they push forward. He’s got to show that MVP form and shake off that long homerless streak, starting now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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