Cody Bellinger was a late scratch from the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to left leg tightness and replaced in center field by Kevin Pillar.
How severe the injury is unclear at this time due to Bellinger being removed from the lineup after Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke with media. It’s a fourth time in the past week Bellinger did not start.
He was held out of the lineup last Tuesday due to feeling under the weather, and didn’t start the following day in the series finale against the Washington Nationals. However, Bellinger did enter off the bench and go 0-for-2 in the 1-0 loss.
Bellinger then started each of the first three games during the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks before receiving another day off.
Bellinger started the first 33 games this season before receiving his first day off. Now Freddie Freeman and Trea Turner remain the lone players who have been in the Dodgers’ lineup for every game so far in 2022.
On the season Bellinger is batting .221/.291/.405 with 11 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 15 RBI over 44 games (43 starts). The production is still short of expectations that emerged after winning the 2018 National League MVP Award, but represent a step forward from last year.
Even with some inconsistencies at the plate, the 26-year-old has continued to play stellar defense in center field.
Bellinger set Dodgers record
Earlier this season Bellinger set a Dodgers record with a 14th career multi-home run game, good for the most in franchise history by a player through their age-26 season.
He additionally moved up the Dodgers all-time home runs list by breaking a three-way tie with Jackie Robinson and Mike Marshall.
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
