TORONTO — The end of Cody Bellinger’s stay on the injured list is beginning to come into sight.
Almost exactly three weeks removed from suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain, the Yankees outfielder went through a full pregame workout early Friday afternoon at Rogers Centre, doing defensive work in left field and running the bases close to full speed before later taking batting practice.
If he continues to respond well to the increased workload, Bellinger could “be in line for a rehab [assignment] sometime next week,” manager Aaron Boone said.
“I feel really good,” Bellinger said before the Yankees opened a series against the Blue Jays. “Today was a really good day, so I’m advancing very well.”
Bellinger indicated he is still experiencing some tightness in his left hamstring, but he has felt better every day while trying to push the envelope as much as his body allows.
On Friday, that included testing the hamstring on the turf (which can often be unforgiving for players dealing with leg issues), and it “went way better than I expected.”
“I was doing a lot of defense with [outfield/third base coach Luis Rojas] — breaking in, breaking back, first step was good,” Bellinger said. “Bases went well. So defensively, it was my best day effort-wise.”
Once he is cleared for a rehab assignment, Bellinger might only need a few games before he returns to the Yankees lineup, given that he has not been out of action for too long.
