Cody Bellinger will miss 4-6 weeks with a Grade 2 strain in his left hamstring, the New York Yankees' manager Aaron Boone announced on Monday.
The injury occurred when Bellinger legged out an eighth-inning double in Saturday's win over the Phillies, forcing him to exit early. Despite initially downplaying the severity of the injury, the 28-year-old left fielder was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday.
Bellinger had been able to do some light agility work in Philadelphia on Sunday before heading back to New York for testing. His absence is the latest blow to the Yankees' already injury-riddled lineup, which has struggled to score runs this season.
Giancarlo Stanton has been out since April 24 with multiple calf strains, while Aaron Judge last played on May 31 with a fractured rib. The Yankees have one of baseball's worst offenses since losing Judge, and Bellinger's injury only emphasizes the need for an outfield bat prior to the rapidly-approaching Aug. 3 trade deadline.
The Yankees have recalled Spencer Jones to take Bellinger's roster spot on Sunday. The left-handed hitter started in center and hit eighth on Monday, though Boone said he plans on using the rookie in left as well.
Max Schuemann will also get opportunities in left, especially when the Yankees face a lefty. He got the nod there and led off on Monday with southpaw Noah Schultz starting for the White Sox.
The Yankees are in the market for an outfield bat, as well as a right-handed hitting catcher and high-leverage relief help. The team's struggles to score runs have been well-documented, and Bellinger's injury only adds to their woes.
Boone said he plans on using the team's young players to fill the void left by Bellinger's injury. "We're going to have to lean on some of our younger guys," Boone said. "We've got some good young players, and we're going to have to count on them to step up and make some plays for us."
The Yankees will face a challenging schedule in the coming weeks, with a series against the Houston Astros and a matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays on the horizon. Bellinger's absence will be felt, but the team will have to find a way to adapt and overcome in the absence of their injured star.
Source: Yahoo Sports