The Yankees Poisoning Alert – New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger found himself sidelined this week not by a pulled hamstring or a sore shoulder, but by something far less expected—a bad batch of chicken wings.
Bellinger was scratched from Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Tigers due to a sudden bout of food poisoning, sparking concern across Yankee Nation. But as details emerged, the story behind the illness took a lighter—and slightly tragicomic—turn.
The Yankees Poisoning Alert – “I Will Not Eat Wings for Five Years”
Speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday’s series finale in Detroit, Bellinger came clean about what had taken him out of the lineup: wings. Specifically, room service wings from the team hotel, ordered after Monday night’s 6-2 loss to the Tigers.
“I think he had some wings, maybe,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone speculated on Tuesday. That theory turned out to be right on the money.
Bellinger confirmed it the following day:
“I will not eat wings for five years. I swear. Because the thought of it right now makes me sick,” he said, per ESPN.
To be fair, these weren’t ultra-spicy, adventurous wings. According to Bellinger, they were “traditional” style—no sauce, no rub, no spice. Just plain wings, presumably ordered for a simple postgame refuel.
But instead of fueling up for the next day’s game, they sent him straight to the sidelines.
A Quick Recovery, but Not a Memorable Return
After sitting out Tuesday, Bellinger returned to the Yankees lineup on Wednesday afternoon, slotting back into his usual role in center field. While he didn’t make much noise at the plate—going 0-for-4 with a walk—just getting back onto the field was a win in itself.
Considering the severity of most food poisoning cases, his 24-hour turnaround is impressive, if not heroic by ballplayer standards.
The Yankees Poisoning Alert – Yankees Dodging Another Health Setback
Injuries and illnesses are part of any long MLB season, but for a Yankees team that has battled health issues across the board in recent years, Bellinger’s brief absence was another reminder of just how unpredictable things can be—even when the threat comes from a hotel room service tray instead of the opposing bullpen.
Fortunately for New York, Bellinger avoided a longer stint on the shelf and is expected to resume regular play. Still, you can bet team trainers (and maybe the entire Yankees clubhouse) are giving wings a hard pass on the next road trip.
Wings on the No-Fly List
Athletes are often creatures of habit, especially when it comes to routines and superstitions. For Bellinger, it’s safe to say wings are officially off the menu—for the foreseeable future.
Whether it’s a superstition or a self-imposed health mandate, the 28-year-old slugger made it clear:
“Five years,” he repeated with a straight face. “No wings.”
The Yankees Poisoning Alert – The Bigger Picture for Bellinger and the Yankees
Despite the hiccup, Bellinger has been a key contributor since joining the Yankees in the offseason, bringing a blend of Gold Glove-caliber defense and clutch power to a lineup hungry for consistency.
With the season heating up and AL East competition as fierce as ever, New York will be counting on Bellinger to stay healthy—and hopefully well-fed—as they aim to stay near the top of the standings.
As for wings? They’re benched indefinitely.
My Take:
It’s not often that a blog post about chicken wings and baseball makes sense in the same sentence—but this is life in MLB, where even the smallest details (like a room service order) can make headlines. Bellinger’s ordeal is a reminder that even world-class athletes aren’t immune to the risks of late-night snacks.
Moral of the story? Maybe stick to the team-provided meals—or at least double-check that hotel kitchen rating.
