Yankees quarterback Cody Bellinger was pulled in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Phillies on Saturday with a hamstring injury. He is about to be tested. Bellinger downplayed the issue after the game. “It feels a little tight,” Bellinger told reporters, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.I don’t think it’s anything too serious.”
Bellinger was doubled in the top of the frame before being replaced by the defense. It was his second hit of the game, and the go-ahead RBI in the sixth inning. The Yankees won another tight game in Philly and will go on a sweep on Sunday.
If Bellinger is forced to miss time, Spencer Jones would be a reasonable candidate to rejoin the big league team. He was called up several times when New York players missed time. Max Schuemann instead of Bellinger tonight. He can take more reps in left field, at least against left-handed pitching. Schuemann has a .906 OPS in a small sample against southpaws.
Bellinger put together one of his healthiest campaigns to date in his debut with the Yankees. He reached 150 games and 650 plate appearances for the first time since his 2019 NL MVP year. Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs and 13 steals against New York. He was a solid contributor again this year, posting a 117 wRC+ in 430 plate appearances. Bellinger is also one of the most valuable defenders at any position. Tied for first in the league Wilyer Abreu at 19 Defensive Runs Saved.
Here are a few more things from the AL East…
- I Red Sox they are expected to work Guard Suarez will start Sunday against the Blue Jays, reports Alex Speier of the Boston Globe. The lefty hit the injured list in early July with a groin strain. Suarez was targeted earlier in the week, but illness has delayed his return. Left Payton Tolle will face the Athletics on Monday.
- The Orioles the right hand Chris Bassitt finished the bullpen session today, boss Craig Albernaz he told reporters before Saturday’s game (h/t Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Sun). The veteran righty has not played since the beginning of June because of a bad back injury that ended up requiring him to undergo surgery. Bassitt had a 5.27 ERA in 12 appearances before his IL assignment.
- I The Orioles close the holder Samuel Basallo a few days as he works his way back from right shoulder inflammation. He will stop his rehabilitation work to allow the shoulder to “calm down,” said Albernaz (h/t also to Weyrich). Baltimore lost both catchers in a matter of days Adley Rutschman hitting IL last weekend with a wrist injury.
- I Radiation work on the left Steven Matz for Saturday’s game against the Guardians. That’s right Chris Roycroft it was returned to the children. Matz missed almost a month with a sprained ankle. He opened the season in Tampa Bay’s rotation, but lost his spot after posting a 5.48 ERA over 10 innings. Matz was even worse when he moved to the bullpen, giving up nine earned runs with five relief appearances.
Photo courtesy of Bill Streicher, Imagn Images
