The Chicago Cubs have placed center fielder Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left middle finger. On Wednesday, Bellinger exited Chicago’s game against the Baltimore Orioles after getting hit on the hand by a pitch from Cionel Pérez. He walked off the field in what appeared to be a lot of pain, saying post-game that he could not throw a ball.
The #Cubs today recalled OF Alexander Canario from @IowaCubs and placed OF Cody Bellinger on the 10-day IL with a left middle finger fracture. pic.twitter.com/2nczrnifBG
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 11, 2024
The 28-year-old outfielder is coming off a resurgent season with the Cubs in 2023 after being non-tendered by the Dodgers. Bellinger slashed .307/.356/.525 with an .881 OPS, 26 homers, and 97 RBI, nearly mirroring his 2019 MVP campaign. His efforts led to him being named the NL Comeback Player of the Year and earned him his second career Silver Slugger. He re-signed with the Cubs in February, inking a three-year, $80 million contract with opt-outs after the first two seasons.
Despite missing time earlier this year with a rib fracture, Bellinger is hitting .269/.331/.410 with nine homers, and 37 RBI through 79 games. Losing Bellinger is a huge blow for the Cubs, who have won five of their last six games. Chicago currently trails the third Wild Card spot by 3.5 games and sits 11 games back in the division. While it is unclear if the Cubs intend to sell at the deadline, Bellinger has drawn plenty of trade interest.
Cubs Place Cody Bellinger on Injured List Amid Trade Rumors
An above-average offensive contributor who plays both first base and the outfield, Bellinger has sparked trade interest from multiple contenders. However, his fractured finger could limit Chicago’s ability to trade him, since he could be sidelined until well into August.
Still, Chicago is not out of playoff contention yet. They could claw their way back into the Wild Card race if they can continue their recent run. If that happens, the Cubs might opt to retain Bellinger along with Ian Happ and Jameson Taillon. Bellinger recently opened up about the trade speculation, saying he’s not allowing himself to dwell on potentially being traded.
Chicago called up outfield prospect Alexander Canario from Triple-A Iowa to replace Bellinger on the active roster. The 24-year-old outfielder has batted .238/.330/.502 in 59 games with Triple-A Iowa this season. Hours before Bellinger left Wednesday’s contest, the Cubs signed veteran outfielder Trayce Thompson to a minor league deal. Thompson will provide the Cubs with an experienced depth option who already has 16 homers on the books this year.
While Cody Bellinger is sidelined, rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong will likely draw the bulk of the starts for the Cubs in center field.
Photo Credit: © David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
