New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger is expected to begin a rehabilitation assignment with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders later this week [1].
The return of the 35-year-old [1] provides a potential boost to the Yankees' lineup as they navigate injuries to key players during the season stretch.
Bellinger is recovering from a hamstring injury [1]. While there was initial confusion regarding the timeline, Manager Aaron Boone said he misspoke on Sunday when he suggested a Tuesday start [3]. Boone later said that Bellinger could begin the assignment in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Thursday [1], [2].
The team is also monitoring the health of pitcher Max Fried. Boone said that Fried has experienced an injury setback, but he believes the issue is minor [1]. According to Boone, the setback does not currently threaten the pitcher's overall return to the active roster [1], [2].
These roster updates come as the Yankees maintain their competitive momentum. The team recently secured a 4-3 win over the Blue Jays [3].
Bellinger's stint with the RailRiders will allow the team to evaluate his hamstring stability and timing before he returns to the major league level. The move to Triple-A is a standard procedure for veteran players returning from soft-tissue injuries to ensure they can handle the rigors of full-game repetitions.
“Cody Bellinger is expected to begin a rehabilitation assignment with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders later this week.”
The Yankees are managing a delicate balance of veteran health as they approach the postseason. By sending Bellinger to Triple-A, the team avoids risking a re-aggravation of his hamstring, while Boone's optimistic outlook on Max Fried suggests the pitching rotation remains stable despite minor setbacks.
