Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger hasn’t played since April 5, and it doesn’t appear a return is imminent. A recent test on Bellinger’s injured left leg revealed a hairline fracture, manager Dave Roberts told Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times and other reporters. Roberts added that “it’s not a day-to-day thing.”
Bellinger landed on the 10-day injured list April 9 (retroactive to April 6), at which point it was believed he only had a left calf contusion. The Dodgers seemed optimistic Bellinger would return in fairly short order, but that won’t be the case. However, it’s not yet clear how much more time the 25-year-old outfielder/first baseman will miss.
Bellinger helped the Dodgers to NL West titles in each of his four full seasons, and the former MVP was a key part of last year’s World Series-winning club. Bellinger opened this season as the Dodgers’ center fielder, but the depth-laden team has had the luxury of turning to Chris Taylor, Mookie Betts and AJ Pollock (mostly Taylor) at the position during his absence. Even with Bellinger on the shelf for most of April, the Dodgers have stormed out of the gates to an 11-2 record – the best mark in the majors.
I knew it was more than what was initially led on about Cody. Hoping he can take it easy and come back healthy! Does anyone know how long hairline fractures take to heal? He won’t need surgery?
normally it takes 6-8 weeks to completely heal
Thanks man
We won’t see him until middle of May then I’m guessing
I would guess it will probably be in June.
Hairline fractures can be tricky, I had one in my foot that caused lingering pain for 6 months when I was 13 years old. Hoping Belly recovers and gets back to surfing center field for the dodgers
I always thought ESPN was going to be wrong when they told people to draft Bellinger over Freddy Freeman to start at 1st base in fantasy. I didn’t even know Bellinger was 1st base eligible. Regardless, Freeman was always going to be better than Bellinger in 2021. This just makes it that much more obvious.
Injury aside, as a Dodger fan I’d take Freddie every time. I didn’t have high hopes for the first part of the season for Bellinger so he wasn’t even on my list for fantasy. Seager was a whole different story
Yeah never listen to anything ESPN has to say on baseball.
Stolen bases is why Bellinger is a better fantasy asset.
10-15 SB doesn’t make a big difference. He’s never been projected as someone who would steal 25-30+ like Acuña
But 15 sbs from 1B is crazy valuable
You can start Bellinger at 1st even though he plays exclusively in CF anymore? I don’t do fantasy, so I’m legitimately asking.
Really? How many rings does Freeman have? Zero!
Rings aren’t a category in fantasy, though.
Freeman is actually ranked higher in fantasy this season.
Technically Bellinger has 1/3 a ring
Technically he has a ring. Not 1/3. Nice troll try.
How many MVPs does Bellinger have?
Depends on the location and how much weight is put on it. If its in a bad spot were any type of weight would slow the healing then they should put him in a cast. I had one and it took forever to heal so I was placed in a cast.
It’s a month-to-month thing.
It’s chill, we’ve got Cody Hoese, and a few other dudes ready to rock out.
I’m not worried about the team producing and winning games. I just like Cody and want to see him back in CF
My favorite non Phillies player
Same here. Only because he’s really cute.
Sup?
I guess if you like smug looking jerks
And what has Bellinger done to be called a jerk? He’s quite a nice guy
Sucks to see him hurt but the team so loaded that they will be fine without him.
yeah i just looked at the dodgers roster and it is so stacked. almost unfair.
That sucks but heal up Cody. We aren’t playing for April in LA
Does Markus Betts or A.J. Pollock play center while he’s out?
Also hope Cody get better, but I’m also curious to who takes over in center for him.
Pollock and Taylor most of the time and Mookie (1game) so far has been in Center since Cody going to IL
At this point of their careers, Mookie is a much better defender than Pollock. I don’t think Pollock in CF would be completely awful or anything, but it’s not ideal. The Dodgers may prefer to keep Mookie in RF though, which means we could be seeing a lot of Chris Taylor in center. Mookie is the best defensive center fielder of the three, for sure.
I did forget they had Chris Taylor. I definitely could see him or Betts in center. Although they could still go with Pollock since he has the most experience in center. It’s definitely going to be an interesting choice.
Taylor to CF, Mookie stays in RF, mix of Pollock/McKinstry and Raley for LF(Pollock is also banged up)
Bellinger is a top 5 defensive CF so they’ll lose some defensive strength, but Taylor is a fine part time sub
If there’s one dent in the Dodger armor its not having a nice OF prospect on the horizon. Don’t think Raley or Peters is the answer – Going to be awhile for Pages Rodriguez and Vogel to be up
I’ve always loved Mitch Haniger and if the Mariners are toast at the break Id love to get those 1.5 yrs of service time to bridge the gap a little better
@cap, I agree. I Think that’s why we saw them open the pocketbook for Pollock. He’s the gap
OFC Raley went deep not 15 mins after I posted this ha !
Great atmosphere tonight, great game all around, loved seeing Dennis stand his ground in extras!
That was absolutely an april playoff game. And yes. A ton of fun to watch
Santana showed his promise. Having out a David Price sized ace in the 11th to pull while your opponent is simultaneously having a position player pitch was so clutch. Whether Padre fans like it or not, that’s the difference between these teams currently. La is just deeper with quality options
Somewhat true. But Padres couldn’t use Stammen because he pitched multiple innings on Thursday.
Zach mckinstry is absolutely crushing. This year’s new kike Hernandez but wayyyy better so far.
It’s pretty funny you think it’s an issue or a “dent in the Dodger armor” is the fact they do not have a top quality outfield prospect. That’s pretty silly to think it’s even an issue.
The Dodgers have a 28-year old RF named Mookie Betts, who is the best RF in the game, former MVP and signed long term.
Dodgers have Cody Bellinger, a 25-year old CF, arguably the second best CF in MLB behind MIke Trout. Bellinger is a former MVP. When his contract is up, Dodgers will also sign him long term.
Both of these outfielders are considered to be top 10 best players in MLB. They will be elite for the next 5-7 years and playing for the Dodgers. Therefore, it makes no sense for the Dodgers to be concerned about the lack of OF prospects. With 2 OF that are top 10 players in MLB, and likely to remain elite for 5-7 years, that leaves one outfield spot open. Hard to argue Dodgers don’t have the best outfield. So it’s not a concern that they lack an elite prospect at this position. It would be a waste of time to make this a pressing issue.
No clue how you think I have an “issue” with it
Just a small fact Snoop. Usually when someone leads in with “If there’s one small….” they probably don’t have an issue.
Kevin’s, that’s the point. The dodgers starters have pitched deeper so their bullpen was more rested going into this series. LA is like 6 1/3 innings per start vs 4 2/3 for SD
Their bullpen is also simply deeper with quality options. Price is much much better than Hill or Stammen, let’s be real
Ronald Acuna Jr. wishes to challenge your statement on best RF in the game
Who cares.
Where’s papa roach when you need em’
This team is so deep. It’s weird to say a Bellinger injury won’t really hurt them, but it won’t. Just get everyone healthy for the playoff run.
LOL fine by me
Doesn’t even matter they will probably repeat regardless.
They have won one World Series with this team. Found a way to lose the other times in the postseason. OK I’ll admit they were cheated against at least one time. Atlanta won exactly once with Smoltz Glavibe Maddox. Mariners won 118 games and didn’t win a World Series. A lot can happen. No one is a lock ever in this sport
That is true, but in my opinion they will.
Repeating is tough. I think they’re a lock for the playoffs, but that’s it. It’s a crapshoot from there.
Not a crapshoot. Best team from regular season often wins or teams with best SP.
The best team record wise actually loses just as much as they win.
kevins:
I agree, except that I don’t think it’s the team with the best SPs, I think it’s the team with the best (or one of) the best pitching staffs. Good starting pitching isn’t worth much when the pen isn’t.
Mariners won 116 games. And, as you mentioned, Astros cheated or Dodgers would have two WS under their belts. But everything else you said was correct. Oh wait…
Ahahahahahahahahahahaha
No but seriously wish bellinger a speedy recovery. Sucks. Hes got that smooth swing from the left side that reminds me of griffey jr.
Get well bellinger.
Slap some bubble gum and tape on it and get in there, son.
You made me smile. That’s the kind of thing my little league coach would say. He was a good man.
You know he’s gonna get some of the best “medication” for his pain
Pot cookies?
The best special brownies and cookies in LA probably
The Zach McKinstry Experience has commenced.
His defense has been a little shaky, but the bat definitely plays.
@brewer88 still think he is playing?
Uh oh spaghetti oh
Can you believe that David Price just got an RBI in the 12th inning? Hitting a sacrifice fly to left fielder Joe Musgrove!
Depth. Depth. Depth. What a game
Wonder if the holes in his swing will heal during his IL stint?
Going to be tough catching up to the Mets now.
They’re 12 and 2. Better than the Mets in the W and L column. Mets are trying to catch them.
Curious ?
Why do you guys keep biting this Metsfan apple?
Your giving oxygen to the fire
They’re in the same division?
No. But MetsFan thinks the teams are equally talented for some reason.
The Mets are probably the third best team in the NL. It’s a huge improvement over recent years, so I can understand why Mets fans are excited about their team this season. Talking about the Mets and Dodgers as if they were in the same division is kind of weird though.
@ BlueSkies_LA;
Watched a lot of the Mets.
Don’t think they’re the 3’rd best team in the NLE.
Not that I disbelieve in the eyeball method, but according to the PECOTA method the Mets are 7-8 wins better than the Phillies and nobody else in that division projects to be better than .500.
I think its becoming apparent that Seager will get the big contract from the Dodgers and probably not Bellinger.
The dodgers are winning the World Series… that lineup is unbelievably talented. The pitching staff. Good luck to anybody trying to beat the Dodgers this year.
Bad luck that it’s his left leg, his back leg when he hits. The Dodgers are fine with all that depth though, and even if it takes until mid-summer to heal, it won’t matter. The Dodgers will be in the PS, and Bellinger, barring some other injury, will be on the field.
It’s sucks when players get hurt. I’m far from a Dodgers fan but I’ll never wish injury on anyone. The player can be the biggest POS ever I still would hate him to get hurt.
Hope he recovers fast. The Dodgees are absolutely stacked. They’ll succeed without him. And be stronger when he returns.