NEWSLETTER
The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They’ve already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something happened to Cody Bellinger.
Cody Bellinger Injured After Collision with OF Wall
In the top of the fourth inning, Bellinger bounced up against the outfield wall in pursuit of a fly ball. And on the broadcast, after he was removed from the game, you could see him tugging on his back, kind of by his shoulder blade before grabbing his glove and walking down the tunnel. Your hope is that he’s just being smart and cautious about it (it certainly didn’t seem like a big enough impact to go crazy with concern), but it’s definitely not a good thing.
Here’s the play:
Cody Bellinger exited the game after this play.
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) April 24, 2024
(📸: @WatchMarquee) pic.twitter.com/RKwPc5P4Bi
And here is messing with his back/side:
Cody Bellinger left today's game early. pic.twitter.com/JeG5pJkqxH
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 24, 2024
We don’t know much yet, but Alexander Canario has come into the game for Bellinger. He’s playing right field and Mike Tauchman has moved over to center.
Bellinger had just started hitting really well, and launched his fifth homer of the season earlier tonight.
UPDATE: Later in the game, on the broadcast, the Cubs announced (via Boog) that it was a right rib contusion for Bellinger, which isn’t the worst possible outcome. Better than a shoulder/back injury given his history, and a contusion is not a break. Still, if he was sore enough to come out of the game tonight, I have a hard time imagining it’ll feel better in the morning. The Cubs may have to play down ANOTHER man. At least Happ is back. Yeesh. More tomorrow, I’m sure.
Update 2: Postgame X-rays were reportedly negative, so that’s also good news. Not that we’re out of the woods just yet.
