With adrenaline rushing through his body after giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a lead in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, Cody Bellinger excitedly — if not violently — celebrated his home run with teammates after crossing the plate.
He bumped forearms with AJ Pollock, then Kiké Hernandez in what proved to be a painful blow. Bellinger’s right shoulder dislocated and hung out of socket as he was greeted by more teammates at the top steps of the dugout.
He cautiously acknowledged them and immediately went into the trainer’s room to have the troublesome right shoulder popped back into place. Bellinger dealt with some soreness the following day but was back in the lineup for all six games of the World Series.
Bellinger underwent surgery on his right shoulder just over two weeks after the Dodgers won their first championship since 1988. He’s not yet doing regular swings but manager Dave Roberts anticipates Bellinger being fully available for the Dodgers’ first full-squad workout of Spring Training, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group
Roberts said the most recent reports he has received indicated Bellinger was taking one-handed swings, using his left arm only. But Roberts expects the 2019 National League MVP to be ready to take batting practice when full-squad workouts begin on Feb. 23. …
“Once we get to full-squad workouts, I would expect to have him on the field, taking swings,” Roberts said, adding that Bellinger will have no limits on his participation in defensive workouts as a result of the surgery.
At the time of the operation, Bellinger was projected to be cleared to begin swinging a bat within four weeks. Roberts said in December that the recovery process was going well, but one month later it was reported Bellinger still had not started swinging.
Although the Dodgers have their first workout of Spring Training set for Feb. 23, the team understandably will be more focused on getting Bellinger prepared for Opening Day of the 2021 season — April 1.
Even if he initially falls behind other position players, Bellinger would be able to make up at-bats in simulated situations.
Bellinger abandoning celebration
Upon hitting his first home run after the shoulder issue, Bellinger adjusted by tapping toes with teammates. While that specifically may not return, the 25-year-old more recently said he was going to stop the celebration that caused the shoulder dislocation.
“I won’t be doing any more elbow high fives anymore, but even if I do, I think it will be sturdy when the season comes,” Bellinger said.
Prior to the NLCS last year, Bellinger’s right shoulder dislocated while he was in the Minors and once each during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. That prompted the Dodgers to move Bellinger off first base and into center field.
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