The New York Yankees have been fighting for a postseason berth recently. After once holding a commanding lead in the AL East, the organization has fallen to the third and final wild card spot, with the Cleveland Guardians just 1.5 games behind.
The team’s lineup has had to shift since Aaron Judge’s return from the injured list, as a right elbow flexor strain has limited his availability on the field and he has only operated as the designated hitter.
As a result, Giancarlo Stanton has had to play in right field with Judge still recovering, despite his limited athletic ability. However, the Yankees can somewhat deal with Stanton being a liability because of Bellinger’s defensive excellence in left field.
Stanton’s bat has powered the Yankees lineup despite the team’s struggles, along with Bellinger, who’s having an incredible first year in the Bronx.
Yankees Scratch Stanton, Bellinger From Lineup
Ahead of the second game in a series against the St. Louis Cardinals, both Stanton and Bellinger were not present in the team’s lineup card.
Manager Aaron Boone announced pregame the reasoning behind the moves for both is that Bellinger is dealing with a sickness, and that as for Stanton, his body is struggling to recover after playing right field for three straight days.
“Cody Bellinger is sick, per Boone. Giancarlo Stanton had had a tougher time recovering (lower body) from three straight days in RF, so they are being careful,” wrote Greg Joyce of The New York Post.
Cody Bellinger is sick, per Boone.
Giancarlo Stanton had had a tougher time recovering (lower body) from three straight days in RF, so they are being careful https://t.co/x9JCNraCyi
— Greg Joyce (@GJoyce9) August 16, 2025
Stanton, Bellinger Leading Yankees’ Offense During Playoff Push
This comes at a disappointing time for New York, who’s been trying hard to return to the postseason despite all the injuries.
Bellinger’s first year with New York has seen him post a .267 batting average, .807 OPS, 22 home runs and 69 RBIs, greatly benefitting from the short porch in right field as a left-handed slugger.
Since Stanton made his season debut in June, the 35-year-old veteran has batted .299 with a .949 OPS and 12 home runs in 43 games.
Together, the two former MVPs, Stanton and Bellinger, have been doing everything they can to keep the Yankees’ playoff hopes alive, but both will be forced to miss Saturday’s matchup.
