Cody Bellinger Lands on Injured List Amid Cubs' Struggles
Chicago Cubs star outfielder Cody Bellinger has been sidelined due to a fractured left middle finger, just days before his 29th birthday. The injury took place during Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles when Bellinger was hit by a pitch from lefty reliever Cionel Perez in the seventh inning. Despite remaining in the game initially, he was later replaced by Miles Mastrobuoni.
In a corresponding move to Bellinger's placement on the injured list, the Cubs have called up Alexander Canario from Triple-A Iowa. Canario, a promising 23-year-old, will be looking to make an immediate impact as the Cubs grapple with their current challenges.
The injury comes at a critical juncture for both Bellinger and the Cubs, who currently hold a 44-49 record. They find themselves 10 games back in the National League Central and 3 1/2 games shy of the NL's final wild-card spot. Bellinger, who entered Thursday with a batting line of .269/.331/.410 (107 OPS+), nine home runs, 37 RBIs, and five stolen bases, has been one of the team's bright spots this season. His contributions have been calculated at an estimated 1.1 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference's estimates.
However, the Cubs' season has not panned out as hoped, and Bellinger's injury raises significant questions about the team's strategy as the trade deadline approaches. Optimism around Bellinger's performance compared to his stellar 2023 season has waned, with an insider noting, "We'll concede that Bellinger isn't having as good of a year as he did in 2023, and that teams may have additional concerns about his unusual profile as a result."
The nature of Bellinger's contract, a three-year pact allowing him to opt out after each season, adds another layer of complexity to the Cubs' decision-making process. "Remember, his three-year pact allows him to opt out after each season, meaning there's no actual assurance either way that he'll be on Chicago's roster come Opening Day 2025," another insider remarked.
Given the Cubs' current standing and the potential uncertainty surrounding Bellinger's future, insiders suggest that the Cubs might need to weigh their options. "With the way the season has spiraled for the Cubs, we think they have to at least contemplate listening to offers for Bellinger," one insider said. The risk here is multifaceted; teams might be hesitant to trade for Bellinger due to concerns about his opt-in clause or his recent underperformance, which could, in turn, diminish the Cubs' leverage in negotiations.
"That, in turn, could make it more likely that he stays in place — either because teams are concerned he'll opt-in and decline, or because teams try to use that possibility to leverage the Cubs into a worse return," said the insider. Despite these concerns, Bellinger remains an above-average player capable of manning center field, making him a valuable piece for any team during the playoff push. "A well-timed heater between now and the deadline could change things, however, and even in this current reality, he's an above-average contributor capable of standing in center field. That's something," added the insider.
As the Cubs look ahead to the remainder of their series with the Baltimore Orioles and an upcoming clash with the St. Louis Cardinals, attention will be sharply focused on how they maneuver around Bellinger's absence. The upcoming games will be crucial not only for the team's immediate fortunes but also for the longer-term decisions regarding their roster and strategy moving forward.
Meanwhile, Bellinger will be working on his rehabilitation, with fingers crossed for a speedy recovery that could see him back in action sooner rather than later. His return would be a significant boost for a Cubs team intent on making a push for the playoff spots in the highly competitive National League. For now, the spotlight shifts to Canario and the rest of the Cubs as they navigate this critical phase of the season.