PITTSBURGH — Cody Bellinger did not appear in the Yankees’ lineup for their series-opener against the Pirates on Friday, as the center fielder is dealing with a stiff back.
Aaron Boone said Bellinger’s back started bugging him during Thursday’s game against the Diamondbacks. It continued to nag him during the Yankees’ late flight to Pittsburgh. With the team not arriving at their Steel City hotel until 2:30 a.m., Boone decided to give Bellinger the day off.
The manager doesn’t think the ache is a big deal and expected Bellinger to be available if needed against the Pirates on Friday, but added, “It’s not something I want to mess with.”
Bellinger, in his first season with the Yankees, is slashing .238/.296/.381 with one home run and six RBI over six games. He’s mostly batted second for the Bombers and went 0-for-4 with one walk and two strikeouts on Thursday.
With Bellinger out on Friday, right fielder Aaron Judge hit second. Meanwhile, Trent Grisham got another start in center field after hitting a two-run homer against Arizona on Thursday.
“I feel like his swing has been in a good spot,” Boone said of Grisham, who didn’t play much last season. “I love how he looks right now. He’s obviously playing really well, and I’m glad I’ve been able to get him some real opportunities.”
EFFORSS SUFFERS SETBACK
Boone said that Scott Effross’ hamstring injury, sustained in spring training, suffered a setback, so the reliever is in a holding pattern.
Effross has had a difficult time staying healthy since being traded to the Yankees in 2022, as he’s also undergone Tommy John and back surgeries. He appeared in three big league games last season, but his stuff didn’t look quite right after multiple procedures.
OTHER PITCHERS PROGRESSING
Boone provided a handful of encouraging updates on other injured pitchers.
Tyler Matzek’s (oblique) next step is to throw another live batting practice session or begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa. Boone expected him back before the end of the month.
Jake Cousins (right elbow flexor strain) is less than a week away from getting on a mound.
Finally, Luis Gil (lat strain) is 7-10 days away from starting to play catch.
Boone did not have anything new on Clayton Beeter (shoulder impingement syndrome).
