Yankees placing Ryan McMahon on IL has major silver lining after Cody Bellinger news

On Friday afternoon, the Yankees announced Ryan McMahon would be hitting the injured list with a Grade 2 thumb sprain. He's expected to miss the minimum time on the IL, and Max Schuemann was recalled to replace him on the roster ... for the time being.

Not too long after, Aaron Boone told reporters that Cody Bellinger is playing left field for Triple-A Scranton on Friday night and could be activated for Sunday's series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays.

How are these moves connected? Well, if Belli is was returning before Sept. 1, it was putting the Yankees in a tough situation. They would've either had to designate Amed Rosario for assignment or option Spencer Jones back to the minor leagues. It's safe to say most fans would've preferred to see Rosario get the boot, but they knew the Yankees would probably option Jones.

Now? They don't have to do either. If Bellinger is being fast-tracked to return Sunday, then there's no concern at all. Schuemann goes back down to Triple-A, Rosario doesn't join a new team, and Jones doesn't lose his roster spot.

The most important wrinkle is the one that concerns Jones. He's gradually raising his numbers back to respectable marks (.712 OPS, 97 OPS+) and has been very comfortable in the outfield to a refreshing degree. He's swiping bags, too (seven in total and four in the last two weeks). Best of all, though, is the fact he's hitting .292 with a .956 OPS in 29 plate appearances with runners in scoring position. Thise numbers jump to .400 and 1.055 with two outs and RISP in 11 plate appearances. He's trying to fill a massive void in the Yankees' offense, and he's doing a good job as a rookie with little experience.

Jones did not deserve to get optioned for any amount of time, but the Yankees would've been forced into the move because it was the most logical. He possesses the flexibility with options, and he could've returned soon when rosters expanded.

But as we know, that wouldn't have seen the right message. Jones isn't lighting the world on fire, but he's a meaningful starter at the moment. He's gotten the job done while the Yankees have battled injury after injury. He deserves a longer look because the party is likely over once Aaron Judge returns.

The Yankees will get even healthier in September, and by that point it'll be time for Rosario to go and for Jones to become the fourth outfielder (assuming the Yankees feel comfortable with Judge playing defense). For now, the kid deserves as much run as merit-based system permits.

We're just sorry to the Heliot Ramos DFA crowd. You might've thought there was a window for the move that would never happen to happen if the Yankees were faced with a more aggressive roster crunch. And now it's officially never happening.

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