The Los Angeles Dodgers officially called up Cody Bellinger from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Joe Gunkel was designated for assignment to create room for Bellinger on the 40-man roster, and Brett Eibner was optioned to OKC to clear a spot on the active roster.
Bellinger did not appear in Oklahoma City’s game on Tuesday and also was not spotted in the clubhouse. Manager Bill Hasselman said the organization’s top position-player prospect was not feeling well.
The 21-year-old is wearing No. 35, and makes his MLB debut by starting in left field and batting eighth in the Dodgers lineup Tuesday night. Bellinger hit a blistering .343/.429/.627 with four doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI over 18 games this season with Oklahoma City.
It was only Bellinger’s second experience at the Triple-A level. Last season, he batted .271/.365/.507 with 17 doubles, 26 home runs and 71 RBI in 117 games during time spent with Double-A Tulsa and OKC.
Bellinger joined the Dodgers during the spring for a second go-around in big league camp. He appeared in 30 Cactus League games, batting .207/.294/.345 with two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI. If there was a negative to Bellinger’s showing it was his 20 strikeouts.
The Dodgers’ outfield depth took another hit on Monday when the team placed Joc Pederson on the 10-day disabled list due a right groin strain. That prompted the club to recall Brett Eibner from Oklahoma City one day after he had been optioned.
Eibner did not in appear in Monday’s loss, and went 1-for-5 in three games (two starts) for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers acquired Gunkel from the Baltimore Orioles on April 10 in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Gunkel allowed five runs (four earned) in nine innings pitched over three games (one start) with Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers have seven days to make a decision with Gunkel. If the right-hander clears waivers and isn’t traded, he could be sent outright to the Minors and remain in the organization, albeit off the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
