Yankees Announce Cody Bellinger Update After Removal From Lineup

The Yankees had a doubleheader scheduled Saturday against the Boston Red Sox with the series holding major postseason implications. In a potential tiebreaker, the team that wins the regular season series gets home field advantage.

Unfortunately, the Yankees lost Game 1 of the doubleheader, getting shutout 6-0. Despite the loss, Bellinger did collect a hit at the plate, but it was clearly not enough.

For Game 2 of the doubleheader, manager Aaron Boone decided to remove Bellinger from the lineup with rookie Spencer Jones getting the nod in his place.

However, this was always the plan for Bellinger. When speaking with reporters earlier this week, Boone had already announced that Bellinger would only play one of the two games in the series (h/t Gary Phillips of NY Daily News Sports).

This makes sense as the Yankees do not want to immediately push Bellinger hard right back into action while he is still working his way back to full game-speed form after the left hamstring strain.

They also have a reliable short-term replacement in Jones. Bellinger should still be available off the bench if the Yankees need a left-handed pinch hitter in Game 2.