Cody Bellinger (hamstring) could return Sunday

Bellinger has a chance to return to New York’s lineup by the end of the week after getting a couple minor league contests under his belt. The 31-year-old corner outfielder has been on the shelf with a left hamstring strain since late July and was originally expected to miss at least 4-6 weeks. He’s been excellent for fantasy purposes this season, hitting 259 with 52 runs scored, 11 homers, 53 RBI and 10 steals in 434 plate appearances prior to the injury.

Boone said before the game that Bellinger would begin playing in minor league games Tuesday. This timetable makes a return next weekend less likely, though it’s still possible if the team decides he needs only one or two minor league games as he returns from a hamstring strain.

Bellinger will play in rehab games on Tuesday and Thursday — likely at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre — before being re-evaluated. If all goes well, he could be cleared to rejoin the Yankees’ lineup for their weekend series against the Blue Jays. The 31-year-old slugger has been shelved since late July due to a left hamstring strain.

Not great. Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed that Bellinger will be sidelined until at least late August and his absence could easily stretch into early September. The 31-year-old hit the injured list on Sunday after suffering the injury while legging out a double against the Phillies earlier in the weekend. It’s a significant loss for New York, and fantasy managers as well, since he’s graded out as a top-25 outfielder this season, hitting .259 with 52 runs scored, 11 homers, 53 RBI and 10 steals in 434 plate appearances. He’s worth stashing in most fantasy leagues since he’s likely to return this season, but it’s a much tougher call for managers in shallow mixed leagues.

Bellinger suffered the injury while legging out a double against the Phillies on Saturday night. No word yet from the Yankees on the extent of the strain or how long he’s expected to be sidelined for. Spencer Jones was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move on Sunday.

Bellinger exited after a double in the seventh against the Phillies. “It just feels a little tight,” he said after the game. “I really don’t think it’s anything too serious.”

Bellinger came up a little lame while running out a double in the top of the eighth. He stayed in to run and waved off the trainer when they started to pay him a visit on the basepaths, but he didn’t come back out for defense afterwards. If Bellinger needs to miss some time, the Yankees would likely recall Spencer Jones.

Bellinger, the All-Star Game MVP, is 1-for-7 with four strikeouts since play resumed. He has a 15/2 K/BB this month in 15 games, which is very unusual. Even when he was slumping last month, he still struck out a mere 16 times in 25 games. He entered July with a 49/49 K/BB in 83 games this season.

Bellinger delivered a two-run single off Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez in the first inning that proved to be more than enough for the American League’s loaded pitching staff as they piled up 15 strikeouts and tossed a three-hit shutout. It was his lone hit in three at-bats during the low-scoring affair. The 31-year-old outfielder made an impact during his first Midsummer Classic appearance since 2019. The Yankees open the second half with a three-game series in New York against the defending World Series champion Dodgers starting on Friday.

Paul Goldschmidt is in the midst of an extended slump, so Bellinger will play first base with Ben Rice at DH, and Max Schuemann getting another start in left field. The Yankees are doing everything they can to try and jumpstart a floundering offense.