PITTSBURGH — Cody Bellinger remained out of the Yankees’ lineup for the second straight day on Saturday, as the center fielder has been dealing with a stiff back.
Bellinger described the issue, near his beltline, as “a little unaligned” and “a little bit of tightness.” He added that he’s experienced this in the past, but it’s never been a major issue.
“I’ve had it before multiple times, so I just knew it’s like a few-day thing,” he said before the Yankees played the Pirates.
Bellinger wasn’t sure what triggered his back ache this time around — he said it’s possible the cold weather in New York earlier this week played a part — but he was feeling better after taking about 50 swings in the batting cage on Saturday morning. Bellinger has also been getting treatment, including core exercises and soft tissue work.
“I like where I’m at right now,” he said, adding that he hoped to be available for Saturday’s game and back in the lineup Sunday.
Aaron Boone shared similar sentiments, adding that Bellinger has felt “incremental improvement.”
Bellinger is hitting .238/.296/.381 with one home run and six RBI over first six games with the Yankees.
THE LO-DOWN
Boone said that Jonathan Loáisiga (right elbow surgery) was scheduled to throw a bullpen with Double-A Somerset on Saturday. A late-May or early-June return is still in play for the reliever, who only pitched in three games for the Yankees before re-signing with the club over the winter.
“He’s doing really well,” Boone said. “Really has been. His rehab’s gone really, really well. Even when I was watching his pens in February, it was Lo. It was electric, and then we went through a de-load period where they back off a little bit. So I don’t know what his progression is or when he starts facing live hitters and getting in games and things like that, but I know it’s not too far off.”
SCHMIDT’S REHAB BEGINS
Clarke Schmidt (shoulder fatigue) began a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Saturday. The righty logged 3.1 scoreless innings, one hit, one walk, seven strikeouts, 52 pitches and 37 strikes against the Hartford Yard Goats.
Boone still plans on having Schmidt, who will make another rehab start, back on April 15 or 16. The skipper said he won’t start thinking about how Schmidt’s return will impact the rotation – namely Carlos Carrasco and Will Warren – until then.
EFFROSS IS THROWING
Scott Effross (hamstring) is throwing, but Boone wasn’t sure exactly where he’s at. On Friday, the manager revealed the reliever had suffered a setback.
