Cody Bellinger blasts 12th home run vs. Astros

The 31-year-old slugger will make his triumphant return to the Yankees’ lineup for Sunday’s showdown against the Blue Jays. Before landing on the injured list, Bellinger was hitting .259 with 52 runs scored, 11 homers, 53 RBI and 10 steals in 434 plate appearances. He’s starting in left field and batting cleanup against Jays’ right-hander Jose Soriano on Sunday afternoon in New York.

Bellinger told reporters he’ll return later this weekend after playing six innings in left field during a minor league rehab game for Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre on Friday. The 31-year-old will make it back to New York’s lineup after missing exactly one month with a left hamstring strain. His return should have a significant impact for the Yankees over the final five weeks of the season.

Bellinger played six innings in left field on Friday evening. He’s targeting a return to New York’s lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Blue Jays. The 31-year-old corner outfielder is working his way back from a hamstring strain that put him on the shelf back in late July. He appears to be on track to make it back to the Yankees’ lineup by the end of the weekend.

Bellinger will play Thursday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. If that game — and likely at least one more contest — goes well, the 31-year-old could be back for the series finale Sunday against the Blue Jays. Even if Bellinger needs a day or two more in the minors, it’s a positive development for the Yankees and fantasy managers.

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.”