The New York Yankees seem to be going through a stretch of bad luck, not just with injuries but now with players missing games for off-field reasons. One of the most unusual setbacks came when first baseman Cody Bellinger had to sit out Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers due to an upset stomach. Although he was only out for one game, the Yankees lost the series opener—a costly absence. Thankfully, Bellinger returned on Wednesday and made a surprising declaration.
According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, Bellinger likely had some chicken wings, which may have caused the stomach issue. Bellinger was reportedly enjoying some downtime while watching the NCAA Tournament championship game and decided to snack on room-service wings. Despite ordering them without any sauces or spices, they still led to food poisoning.
Now recovered, Bellinger took the field for the final game of the series against Detroit and made a promise: “I can say I will not eat wings for five years,” he said. “I swear. Because the thought of it right now makes me sick.”
He described a rough night leading up to the missed game, saying, “I woke up at 4 a.m. sweating and just started throwing up for a few hours. It was a tough morning.” The Yankees were fortunate it didn’t keep him out longer—just one game missed, unlike Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee, whose debut was delayed three days earlier this season due to food poisoning.
Despite his return, Bellinger has yet to show the kind of power the Yankees were hoping for. He has yet to hit another home run since his early blast in his second game as a Yankee. Yankees fans remember the version of Bellinger who helped the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series—he homered in Game 1 against the Rays and celebrated with iconic foot taps. In 2023 with the Cubs, he made a strong comeback, hitting 26 home runs and collecting 96 RBIs, earning NL Player of the Month honors for July. Even last season, he was productive with 18 homers and 78 RBIs.
In 2024, Bellinger hit a home run in just his third game as a Cub. With the Yankees, he got his first home run in his second game, but since then, it’s been quiet. So far this season, the Yankees have played 12 games, and Bellinger is batting .206, a significant drop from his .266 average last year—especially disappointing for a player in his position.
He came into this season with hopes of regaining his MVP-level form. One of the ways he’s trying to do that is by using torpedo bats, which have gained popularity for their potential to improve power hitting. While young players like Jazz Chisholm are seeing results with them, Bellinger is still trying to find his rhythm.
Still, it’s early in the season, and it’s too soon to write him off. With Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch and Bellinger’s ability to cut down on strikeouts, there’s a real chance for him to turn things around. If he starts connecting, he could very well emerge as the slugger the Yankees hoped for.