While Chris Taylor was able to return to the lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ series finale against the Oakland Athletics, Cody Bellinger missed a second consecutive game due to left calf soreness.
The 25-year-old sustained the injury after being spiked during the ninth inning of the series opener. “He got cleated in the middle part of his calf, but it’s just more sore, it’s not an ankle thing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained.
Bellinger nonetheless underwent tests as a precaution, which didn’t reveal any fractures or structural damage. Despite the encouraging news, Roberts did not rule out an injured list stint for Bellinger.
“It’s still a possibility,” Roberts said. “As we get through [Thursday] and get to the ballpark on Friday, we’ll probably make a decision then.”
With the Dodgers off on Thursday, Bellinger will have more time to recover before the club’s home opener against the Washington Nationals. At this point, however, it is looking unlikely he will play.
“I don’t expect him to be in the lineup on Friday, unless something really crazy happens for the better,” Roberts said. “But from what I hear, there’s steady improvement.”
The Dodgers have some time on their side as it pertains to potentially needing to place Bellinger on the 10-day IL. In addition to Thursday, the team is off again Monday, and further out on Wednesday, April 21.
Betts expected to be back in Dodgers lineup
Along with Bellinger, the Dodgers didn’t have Mookie Betts in the lineup for their series finale against the Athletics due to lower back stiffness.
“I think there was some residual from [Tuesday’s] game, and then this morning he woke up stiff and I got notified,” Roberts explained. “Being we have the off day [Thursday], I wanted to give him two full days to recover.”
Roberts added his “expectation” was that Betts would return to the Dodgers lineup for the home opener on Friday.
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