Yankees' Bellinger sidelined 4–6 weeks with Grade 2 hamstring strain

New York Yankees All-Star outfielder Cody Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 27, 2026, after suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain sustained while running the bases during a 3–1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, July 26. Bellinger felt tightness in his hamstring while rounding first base after hitting a double in the eighth inning. He remained in the game until the inning ended but walked slowly to the clubhouse afterward. Tests conducted Monday in New York confirmed the injury would sideline him for four to six weeks.

The injury adds significant depth to the Yankees' injury crisis heading into a critical stretch of the season. The team is already without reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge, sidelined since May 31 with a fractured rib, and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, out since April 24 with a strained right calf. The Yankees were three games behind the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays as the injury occurred.

Bellinger, 31, is in his second season with New York after re-signing for a five-year, $162.5 million contract last winter. This season he is batting .259 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs in 102 games. He had entered Saturday with 19 defensive runs saved, the most in Major League Baseball, and was named MVP of the All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia. However, Bellinger has been in a notable offensive slump, going a month without a home run and hitting only .254 heading into the All-Star break.

The Yankees recalled outfielder Spencer Jones, the club's No. 7-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Bellinger's roster spot. Manager Aaron Boone indicated Jones would receive significant at-bats in left field while maintaining Jasson Domínguez in right field. Jones has struggled in limited major league appearances this season, batting .224 with 4 doubles and 2 home runs in 31 games, but has posted stronger numbers in Triple-A with a .273 average, 14 home runs, and 52 RBIs in 54 games.

Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the cumulative toll of injuries but expressed confidence in the team's resilience. "We've had some tough injuries to some really important people," Boone said. "But again, that is part of it. As I say, the season waits for no one." The MLB trade deadline is scheduled for the following week, though Boone downplayed the immediate impact of Bellinger's injury on general manager Brian Cashman's trade strategy. Left-hander Carlos Rodón and right-hander Clarke Schmidt are both expected to throw again during the week as the Yankees work to recover other key players.