The New York Yankees have made a significant lineup decision involving Cody Bellinger ahead of their Tuesday matchup against Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
With the Yankees looking to snap a five-game losing streak, manager Aaron Boone announced that Bellinger will sit out against the reigning American League Cy Young winner. The move highlights the team’s efforts to adjust amid recent offensive struggles.
Cody Bellinger’s Recent Struggles
Bellinger has been in a clear slump, going just 2-for-27 over his last eight games. According to reports from the “Talkin’ Yanks” podcast, Boone directly addressed the decision, opting to give the veteran outfielder a rest against Skubal’s dominant left-handed pitching.
Over his last seven games, Bellinger is hitting just .136 (3-for-22) with no home runs, no RBIs, and five strikeouts. While his season-long numbers remain respectable — .262 average, 11 home runs, and 49 RBIs through about 82 games — the recent cold streak has become a growing concern for a Yankees lineup that needs consistent production.
Notable splits further explain the decision:
- Strong at home: .367 average, 1.128 OPS, and 8 HR at Yankee Stadium.
- Struggles on the road: .182 average and .564 OPS away from the Bronx.
- Against lefties: .266 with 4 HR this season.
Bellinger also has limited success against Skubal specifically (1-for-6 in prior matchups).
Context Around the Big Contract
The Yankees signed Bellinger to a lucrative five-year, $162.5 million contract in January 2026 after he opted out of his previous deal. The agreement followed a solid 2025 season where he hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in his first full year in pinstripes.
New York has lost 8 of its last 10 games, scoring just 26 runs in that span. Sitting Bellinger against one of baseball’s toughest starters is a calculated move as the team tries to regroup.
This decision underscores the challenges of managing star players through slumps, especially against elite pitching like Tarik Skubal’s. Yankees fans will be watching closely to see how the lineup performs and whether Bellinger bounces back in subsequent games.






