The Bronx Bombers could soon welcome a crucial player back to the field. To clarify, this is not power hitter and current AL MVP Aaron Judge, whose recovery timeline from a fractured rib remains undefined. Instead, it is outfielder Cody Bellinger, currently recovering from a strained hamstring, who is projected to start a rehab stint in the minor leagues as the week winds down.
Team skipper Aaron Boone shared this update with reporters, including those from The Athletic, on Sunday. Although he first suggested a Tuesday start, Boone later amended his statement post-game, adjusting the anticipated timeline to Thursday or Friday. There is a chance Bellinger returns to the active roster ahead of or during the team’s upcoming home series versus the Blue Jays, starting August 21.
The 31-year-old outfielder, who secured his third career All-Star nod this season, has continued to deliver exceptional defensive play in the outfield alongside reliable offensive contributions for New York.
Across 102 games played this year, he has recorded a 115 OPS+. The veteran has been on the injured list with his hamstring issue since July 25.
New York’s batting lineup is desperately searching for reinforcements. Following Bellinger’s injury, the squad has put up a dismal slash line of .204/.281/.354. While losing Judge (who has remained sidelined since May 31) has dealt an even heavier blow, welcoming Bellinger back should offer a much-needed lift. Since Judge’s departure, the team ranks second to last in major league baseball for total runs scored, managing five or more runs in a game on only three occasions throughout August.
Heading into Sunday’s matchups, the Yankees sit in second place within the AL East with a 68-55 record, trailing the division-leading Rays by 6.5 games. Though New York holds the primary wild-card spot in the American League, they lead the rival Red Sox—who occupy the second wild-card spot—by a narrow margin of only two games.
