Yankees Make Cody Bellinger Decision Before Blue Jays Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 6:14 PM ET

Outfield superstar Cody Bellinger is playing his ninth major-league season and his first with the New York Yankees.

The 29-year-old left-handed slugger arrived in the Bronx before the 2025 season after spending the previous two years with the Chicago Cubs.

Bellinger’s best seasons came in Los Angeles, where he debuted in 2017 for the Dodgers and immediately captured National League Rookie of the Year. Over six seasons, he added an NL MVP in 2019, two All-Star selections and helped the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series.

In his debut season with the Yankees, Bellinger has excelled in the outfield, plugging the significant gap left when Juan Soto departed in free agency. He’s on track to become an unrestricted free agent this winter and is widely expected to command a substantial contract in the open market.

New York enters an important, pivotal three-game series on Monday against the current division-leading Toronto Blue Jays, a team they already trail by three games in the AL East standings.

Ahead of the series opener, the Yankees decided to give Bellinger a day off, not placing him in the starting lineup.

Monday Matchup. #RepBX pic.twitter.com/Iy9afU7pAI
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 21, 2025

Through 91 games this season, Bellinger is batting .280 with a .823 OPS, 17 home runs and 56 RBIs while hitting in the middle of New York’s lineup.

Bellinger has been especially dominant at Yankee Stadium this season. Across 48 home games, he’s launched 12 homers and posted an impressive .937 OPS, repeatedly sending balls into the short right-field porch.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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