Depleted Yankees need another spark after late Cody Bellinger injury vs. Phillies

The New York Yankees have won nine of their past 12 games, including their three most recent contests against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies. To say the offense has been carried by the pitching staff on a heater would be an understatement, though. After winning back-to-back games 2-0 and 1-0, they barely captured a Phillies bullpen game on Saturday by the score of 3-1.

Cody Bellinger went 2-4 in the game amid a slow-as-molasses two months without Aaron Judge. The Yankees can't afford to lose Bellinger because they can't afford to lose ... well, anyone really, but the offense he's produced during this all-important stretch has been minimal.

After driving in the second run to break a 1-1 tie in this one, Bellinger ripped a ball into the gap and reached second base safely in the eighth. When the inning ended, he limped off the field and exited on defense.

If Bellinger is injured for any length of time, the already-strapped Yankees will need to add another "Next Man Up," which would further alter their trade deadline plans.

Yankees' trade deadline plans potentially scuttled by Cody Bellinger injury

According to Aaron Boone in the postgame, "It looks like it could be something." Neat.

Both Spencer Jones and Jasson Domínguez have been heavily dangled by rumor mongers the past few weeks as the Yankees look for trade deadline upgrades. Domínguez, who's struggled all year offensively, hit a towering home run in Saturday's game. If Bellinger misses any length of time, getting rid of Domínguez (or Jones) would seem like a far riskier maneuver, unless the Yankees were able to swiftly replace them with another outfielder.

Bellinger wasn't an "upgrade opportunity" for the Yankees prior to Saturday's early ending. Instead, the front office was focused on bringing in a viable starting catcher, as well as potential middle infield depth and bench lengtheners. It would be less than ideal to have to rely on both Jones and Domínguez everyday in a Bellinger-less world - though, again, Bellinger's defense has outshone his offense during a crucial Yankees summer, making this analysis quite wonky. Missing the idea of him would be devastating. Missing the actual production we've seen lately? Less so.

Regardless, the fewer questions the better. The Yankees need the real Belli back quickly.

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