Cody Bellinger is on track to begin a rehabilitation assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, manager Aaron Boone announced Sunday. This move signals the outfielder's potential return to the New York Yankees lineup as early as next weekend, potentially bolstering a struggling offense.
Bellinger suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on July 25 against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Yankees initially provided a four-to-six week timeline for his recovery, and he appears to be on schedule to rejoin the team around the four-week mark. Before the Yankees' series in Toronto, Bellinger participated in full workouts and reported feeling "really good."
His return is expected to solidify the top of the Yankees' lineup. Heliot Ramos, who has been playing left field since being acquired at the trade deadline, could shift to a platoon role in right field with Spencer Jones.
The Yankees will face roster decisions as Bellinger's return approaches. While Spencer Jones has minor league options remaining, he has been a notable hitter during this period. The team anticipates welcoming Bellinger back regardless of these personnel considerations.
Additionally, the Yankees are awaiting the return of Giancarlo Stanton, who has been sidelined since late April with a calf strain. Boone stated Sunday that Stanton's timeline for a rehab assignment remains uncertain, though the veteran designated hitter has been in New York continuing his rehabilitation.
Aaron Judge is also expected to be available at some point next month. Judge recently resumed playing catch on Friday, the first time he has done so since being placed on the injured list in early June with a stress fracture in his right rib. Although he did not throw on Saturday, he was scheduled to resume running and playing catch on Sunday.