The New York Yankees have a good problem on their hands—Cody Bellinger is nursing a minor back issue, but his absence hasn’t slowed them down one bit. That’s because Trent Grisham, their so-called fourth outfielder, is playing like anything but a bench piece.

Cody Bellinger did not appear in the Yankees’ lineup for their series-opener against the Pirates on Friday, as the center fielder is dealing with a stiff back.

PITTSBURGH — Cody Bellinger is out of the Yankees ’ starting lineup in Friday’s series opener against the Pirates and it’s more than an early-season day off. Bellinger’s back was feeling stiff during Thursday night’s win over the Diamondbacks, Yankees manager Aaron Boone revealed on Friday afternoon at PNC Park.

The Yankees have been tweaking the lineup like a chef seasoning a stew—just enough to elevate the flavor without overwhelming the recipe. Ahead of their

Cody Bellinger is dealing with a stiff back that kept him out of Friday’s lineup against the Pirates, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. Bellinger experienced the issue during Thursday’s 9-7 victory over the D-backs at Yankee Stadium,

So, it's no surprise the Yankees are being cautious with their regulars. Boone made clear that this was a proactive decision, not a setback. “He’s just a little stiff,” Boone said. “Hopefully nothing more than that.”

The Yankees weren’t about to take any unnecessary risks with their newly acquired outfielder, especially not this early in the season. On Saturday, they kept