Yankees

Cody Bellinger Begins Rehab Assignment as Yankees Face Big Roster Decision

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Cody Bellinger Begins Rehab Assignment as Yankees Face Big Roster Decision

The New York Yankees finally got some good news on the injury front Thursday, announcing that Cody Bellinger has begun a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

That is a big step toward getting one of the Yankees’ most important everyday players back in the lineup.

Bellinger has been sidelined since late July with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered while running out a double against the Philadelphia Phillies. At the time, the expectation was that he could miss somewhere around 4-6 weeks.

Now he’s playing games again.

And if everything goes well with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees could have an interesting roster decision coming very soon.

Bellinger’s Return Would Be Huge

Before the injury, Bellinger was hitting .259 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs across 102 games. The numbers were solid, but his value went well beyond the box score.

Bellinger gives the Yankees an athletic defender who can play multiple outfield positions and first base, and his defense in left field had been one of the strongest parts of his season.

Remember, this is also a player the Yankees committed 5 years and $162.5 million to during the offseason. They didn’t make that investment for him to be a complementary piece.

They need him in the middle of this postseason push.

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With Aaron Judge still working his way back from his rib injury and the Yankees having dealt with injuries throughout the lineup, getting Bellinger back would immediately give Aaron Boone more flexibility.

The question now becomes: who goes when Bellinger returns?

Spencer Jones Could Be The Odd Man Out

The most obvious answer is Spencer Jones.

Jones was recalled when Bellinger went on the injured list, so simply reversing that transaction would make plenty of sense.

The Yankees’ 2022 first-round pick has gotten a legitimate look in the majors this season, hitting roughly .212 with 5 home runs, 18 RBIs and a .671 OPS.

We’ve seen flashes.

We’ve seen the ridiculous power. We’ve seen the athleticism. We’ve seen why the Yankees have remained excited about his ceiling.

But we’ve also seen a young hitter still trying to figure out major-league pitching.

And unlike some of the veterans on this roster, Jones can simply be optioned back to Triple-A without the Yankees risking losing him.

That’s important when you’re trying to manage a roster this late in the season.

The Yankees Have Other Options, But They Don’t Make Much Sense

Amed Rosario would present another possibility, but because he’s a veteran without the same roster flexibility, removing him could mean exposing him to waivers.

Why create that problem if you don’t have to?

That’s why Jones looks like the cleanest move.

McMahon’s Thumb Adds Another Wrinkle

There is also another factor the Yankees have to consider before making any roster move: Ryan McMahon’s left thumb.

McMahon, who has hit .216 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs in 106 games this season, jammed the thumb while sliding into second base against the Orioles on August 19. He remained in the game before eventually being removed in the eighth inning as the swelling increased.

The encouraging news is that X-rays came back negative and showed no structural damage. McMahon described the thumb as sore and said it became harder to bend as the game went along, leaving his status day-to-day while the Yankees evaluate how he responds.

That could matter when Bellinger is ready to return.

If McMahon needs to miss even a few games, the Yankees may be less willing to part with an experienced infield option like Amed Rosario, while George Lombard Jr.’s versatility becomes even more valuable. It doesn’t necessarily change Spencer Jones being the most logical option candidate, but it gives the front office one more reason to wait until Bellinger’s activation is official before making the final call.

First, Bellinger Has To Prove He’s Ready

None of this happens until Bellinger gets through his rehab assignment healthy.

That’s the part Yankees fans should be watching now.

Running the bases at full speed, playing the outfield, getting multiple at-bats and then recovering the next day will tell the Yankees far more than batting practice ever could.

If Bellinger responds well, however, his return could come quickly.

And with New York sitting around 71-55 and fighting near the top of the AL East, there isn’t much time left for waiting around.

The Yankees need their regular lineup back.

Bellinger beginning his rehab assignment is the first real sign that another major piece could finally be on the way.

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