Caught up in the adrenaline from hitting a home run to put the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, Cody Bellinger wound up dislocating his right shoulder upon doing a forearm bash with Kiké Hernandez.
Trainers immediately popped the troublesome shoulder back into place and Bellinger finished out Game 7. He admitted to dealing with some soreness the following day — an off day — then continued playing throughout the World Series.
Three weeks after the Dodgers won their first championship since 1988, the team announced Bellinger underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder. He previously dislocated the shoulder at least once during the 2018 and 2019 seasons as well.
The 2017 NL Rookie of the Year was projected to begin swinging a bat four weeks after the November operation and make a full recovery in time for 2021 Spring Training. However, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Bellinger has not yet swung a bat:
Because Cody Bellinger had shoulder surgery after the World Series, he hasn’t yet had a chance to work on the swing that gave him trouble for a lot of the 60-game season.
Without going into specifics, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed confidence in Bellinger’s condition and trajectory since the operation.
“He’s recovering well, ahead of schedule — what that means I really don’t know right now,” he said. “For me, for him to be ready to be somewhat active once we start Spring Training, that’s kind of the hope. I’m just happy he came out of it really well.
“The docs, trainers and Cody, everyone is optimistic. It won’t change his position. I just don’t see how he won’t be our center fielder.”
Shortly after Roberts’ remarks, Bellinger said he was visiting Camelback Ranch four days a week.
Bellinger dismisses concerns about swing
Despite coming off an MVP season, Bellinger unveiled a new batting stance at the plate when the Dodgers opened Summer Camp. He struggled to begin the season, and it fueled misguided conversations about a ‘swing change.’
Bellinger attempted to explain it was merely a change to his stance, not swing, and that he had reverted back to the 2019 version by August.
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