Bellinger became a free agent Monday after declining his $25 million player option for 2026, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Bellinger will test out free agency after slashing .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI and 13 stolen bases over 152 regular-season games for the Yankees in 2025. The Yankees will likely make an effort to re-sign the 30-year-old, but Bellinger should have a healthy market as a relatively young free agent coming off a nice season who can play multiple positions.
Yankees' Cody Bellinger: Will opt out, become free agent
Rotowire
Bellinger plans to decline his $25 million player option for 2026 and become a free agent, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
Bellinger opting out of the final year of his deal and hitting the free-agent market this winter has been a foregone conclusion for a while now, as the 30-year-old is in line to net a lucrative, multi-year pact. He slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI and 13 stolen bases over 152 games in 2025 while playing plus defense at multiple positions. Having previously received a qualifying offer, Bellinger is not eligible to get another one, which will only enhance his free-agent appeal.
Bellinger (foot) will start in left field and bat third Saturday against the Blue Jays.
Bellinger jammed his left heel while running the bases during Thursday's game against the Red Sox, but the damage wasn't severe enough to keep him from starting Game 1 of the ALDS. The 30-year-old outfielder has gone 3-for-12 with two runs scored in the postseason so far.
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Yankees' Cody Bellinger: Dealing with minor foot injury
Rotowire
Bellinger was spotted limping after Thursday's game against the Red Sox due to a left foot injury, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.
Bellinger received treatment for his foot injury Thursday night, but he told reporters he expects to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the ALDS. He went 1-for-4 with a run scored in the Yankees' series-clinching win over Boston.
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