Bellinger Guides Yankees to ALDS Despite Injury Concerns

The Yankees are moving on to the ALDS, thanks in part to Cody Bellinger, though it seems they may have paid a price for it.

Bellinger tallied a double and scored during the Yankees’ 4-0 wildcard series victory in the Bronx on Thursday night. However, when he slid awkwardly into home plate following Amed Rosario’s RBI single, there were signs of trouble.

Later in the game, he was visibly limping, especially during a groundout in the seventh inning. After that play, he slowly walked off the field before moving to left field, where he completed the game.

It appears he may have injured his left leg. Bellinger mentioned that while it wasn’t soft tissue damage, he didn’t go into details.

The good news? He reported feeling “ready to roll” for Game 1 of the ALDS, which is set to take place in Toronto on Saturday.

“It’s fine,” Bellinger assured the media.

This season, Bellinger’s versatility has been invaluable to the Yankees, and he demonstrated his speed yet again with that double. Just before his big hit, the Yankees faced some challenges against Boston’s rookie left-hander Connelly.

Once Bellinger reached second, the floodgates opened for the Red Sox.

Earlier in the game, Giancarlo Stanton was struck out, and after Ben Rice also went down midway through, Rosario’s single brought Bellinger home for the Yankees’ first run.

Bellinger made a good jump to reach home, and it seems his instincts were spot-on. “I was happy to get there,” he said.

Then, the Yankees added three more runs in that inning with Anthony Volpe’s single and Austin Wells’ ground ball, which scored two runs due to an error by Nathaniel Lowe.

Bellinger’s contributions have marked a successful first season with the team after his offseason trade from the Cubs.

He has the option to opt out after this season, but for now, Thursday’s win means there’s still more baseball to play.

As the ALDS approaches, the Yankees are optimistic that Bellinger will regain his full strength. Aaron Judge called him a “collector” of hits, emphasizing his importance to the team’s success. Whether it’s a little luck or a decisive hit, Bellinger’s contributions are clearly a key part of the Yankees’ playoff run.