Yankees manager says Bellinger injury unlikely to alter trade deadline strategy
Aaron Boone confirms Cody Bellinger’s grade two hamstring strain will sideline him for a month and a half, but insists the club’s depth and ongoing trade discussions remain unaffected.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has confirmed that left fielder Cody Bellinger will be sidelined for four to six weeks following a grade two left hamstring strain. The injury resulted in Bellinger being placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday, a move that removes a key offensive contributor from the roster during the team’s current 10-game road trip.
Bellinger has recorded 11 home runs and 53 RBIs in 102 games this season, posting a .259 batting average and a .350 on-base percentage. Boone noted that while the player is currently able to move around, the immediate focus is on allowing the injury to heal naturally. The Yankees opened the road trip with a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday.
Despite the loss of a player of Bellinger’s calibre, Boone indicated that the injury is unlikely to influence the front office’s approach to the MLB trade deadline, which is set for next Monday at 6 p.m. He stated that the administration has been working on trade scenarios for several weeks and remains eager to improve the club, though outcomes depend on how other teams define their rosters.
Boone expressed confidence in the team’s depth, stating that capable players are ready to step in and fill the void left by Bellinger. He described the situation as an opportunity for other squad members to develop and perform at a high level, emphasising that the season continues regardless of individual absences.
Updates were also provided on other injured players. Giancarlo Stanton is progressing with running drills and has shown positive results in the weight room regarding strength and explosive movements, though no return date has been set for the right calf strain. Pitchers Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt are scheduled to throw live batting practices later in the week, with Rodón set for Wednesday and Schmidt for Friday.
