​The Sporting News originally published this piece about why Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees is at first base against the Tampa Bay Rays. The article notes that Bellinger is starting at first and hitting fourth on Thursday, marking his first appearance at first base for the Yankees this season. The shift comes as the team looks to navigate several lineup and personnel considerations.
One reason for placing Bellinger at first is the current slump of Paul Goldschmidt, who is enduring what could be described as the toughest stretch of his career. Yankees manager Aaron Boone opted to give Goldschmidt a day to reset, as he has gone 34 consecutive at-bats without a hit, with his last base hit coming against the Boston Red Sox on June 25. This decision also allows Ben Rice a day off at the corner infield spot.
Bellinger, who still has his own offensive struggles, brings valuable defensive versatility to the infield. His ability to cover multiple positions can be an asset for the Yankees when they need to shuffle the lineup or rest other players. In a notable moment against the Rays, Bellinger fielded a throw from Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base in the bottom of the fourth, scooping it to secure the final out and prevent a run from scoring from third.
Since joining the Yankees, Bellinger has appeared at first base only 11 times. In 2023 with the Cubs, he was slated for 44 starts at first base, with a total of 59 appearances at the position. The arrangement against the Rays might prompt Boone to consider expanding this infield alignment more often if Goldschmidt’s struggles persist.
The article also touches on broader topics, including a looming Dodgers-Yankees battle over Tarik Skubal, potential trades for Byron Buxton involving the Phillies, and other reminders from Joe Ryan that echo across the Red Sox organization. It points out that the Dodgers needed 92 games to achieve something that is typically straightforward for MLB teams. It also hints at Kyle Schwarber approaching a Babe Ruth-like milestone, which could have implications for bonus SEO strategies and coverage.