Add The New York Post on Google DETROIT — Almost every night, Cody Bellinger finds a way to impact the game.
Bellinger unleashed a 95.5 mph throw from left field on one hop to the plate to nail a runner trying to score in the fourth inning before the Yankees came back to beat the Tigers 4-3 at Comerica Park.
Cody Bellinger bats against during the third inning of the Yankees’ 4-3 win over the Tigers at Comerica Park on June 23, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect “What a great throw,” said Carlos Rodón, who was on the mound. “I was surprised they sent [the runner], because Cody’s got a good arm. He’s a great defender. And of course he comes up and throws it right on the money.”
The Tigers led 2-1 at the time and were threatening for more, with Riley Greene on second base and two outs. Hao-Yu Lee hit a single to left field, where Bellinger fielded it cleanly and fired home to Austin Wells, who caught it on a bounce and then slid over to his left to tag Greene.
“Obviously I wanted to get a good beat on it and set my feet and make a good throw,” Bellinger said. “It was a pretty good throw, but Wellsy did a great job of getting the ball and putting a quick tag on him.”
Wells snapped an 0-for-18 skid (that dated back to before his injured-list stint) by roping an RBI double off lefty Tyler Holton in the sixth inning, extending the Yankees’ lead to 4-2.
“Really good swing off a tough at-bat,” Bellinger said. “He’s a huge part of this team and excited to have him back.”
Wells was making his second start since being activated off the IL for cervical headaches.
The Yankees’ catcher position continues to be in flux, as Ali Sánchez went on the paternity list Tuesday (replaced by J.C. Escarra) but looks like he might avoid the injured list after taking a 98 mph fastball to his right wrist on Monday. X-rays and a CT scan were both negative.
“Hoping off of the testing and everything that he’ll be a player for us when he gets back, whether that’s Thursday or Friday,” Boone said.
Left fielder Riley Greene is tagged out at home by Austin Wells who received an on-the-money throw from Cody Bellinger during the fourth inning of the Yankees’ win over the Tigers. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+.
The Yankees announced Tuesday they have signed 18-year-old right-hander Chien-Fan Lai out of Taiwan as part of their international signing class. The team said Lai was the “highest-rated Taiwanese pitcher in the 2026 class,” though it was not immediately clear whose ratings those were.
But the 6-foot, 180-pound Lai became the third Taiwanese player in franchise history to sign with the Yankees, joining right-hander Chien-Ming Wang (2000) and infielder Fu-Lin Kuo (2009). Lai is expected to soon report to the Yankees’ Dominican Summer League Academy to begin his pro career.
“The signing of Chien-Fan represents our renewed commitment to players in Taiwan, and in Asia as a whole,” Mario Garza, who took over as the club’s new director of international scouting in January, said in a statement. “As I have gotten to know Chien-Fan, I have seen a focused and self-assured individual with great aptitude and a desire to improve.
“Through a scouting lens, he has an impressive multi-pitch mix, including a heavy fastball and quality off-speed pitches with solid command. This combination of traits allows us to believe that he will acclimate himself well in our development system, maximize his on-field potential and eventually become a productive Major League pitcher.”
Ryan McMahon was initially supposed to be in Tuesday’s lineup at third base against Tigers righty Casey Mize, but an ear/throat infection that he has been battling the last few days changed those plans.
“He’s still pretty banged up today,” said Boone, who was hoping to at least have him available off the bench.
Instead, Boone moved José Caballero from shortstop to third base and inserted Anthony Volpe into the lineup at shortstop. Volpe delivered a pair of singles in the win.
