NEW YORK -- Thousands of fans angled for position outside Yankee Stadium’s gates on Friday afternoon, their hands outstretched in search of one of the season’s more coveted pinstriped giveaways: a Cody Bellinger bobblehead.
The real thing should be back in the Bronx soon. Bellinger played his second Minor League rehab game on Friday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and the American League All-Star said he will be activated for Sunday’s series finale against the Blue Jays. Max Schuemann was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays ahead of Bellinger's activation.
“I’m very excited,” Bellinger said on Saturday. “I feel good. I’m ready to go.”
Working back from a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring, Bellinger went hitless in three at-bats for the RailRiders against Charlotte on Friday, playing six innings in left field. He went 1-for-3 with a single as the designated hitter for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.
“As the days went on, I was pretty much running at full speed,” Bellinger said. “I did defense, and more than you would probably do in a normal game. You just want to make sure you’re on your feet for a long period of time.”
Bellinger sustained the hamstring strain running the bases on July 25 at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. He was placed on the injured list the next day, at which time the Yankees said they expected him to return in four to six weeks.
This year's All-Star Game MVP, Bellinger is slashing .259/.350/.420 with 21 doubles, 11 home runs and 53 RBIs in 102 games this season.
"For me, [I want to] come in, help the team win as much as I can and play my best ball," Bellinger said.