The Los Angeles Dodgers placed Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list due to a left rib fracture and recalled Luke Raley from Triple-A Oklahoma City ahead of their series opener against the Colorado Rockies.
Bellinger’s IL stint is retroactive to Sept. 18, which makes Tuesday, Sept. 28, the earliest he can be activated. Bellinger originally had been in the lineup after missing the final game against the Cincinnati Reds, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested a scratch was likely.
“Just in talking to him, even after the off day, it’s not where it needs to be,” Roberts said. “He’s obviously frustrated that it’s something else he’s got to deal with, but we’re going to deal with it together and just try to get him feeling as good as possible so he can help us win ballgames.”
Bellinger previously spent time on the IL this season and missed 46 games due to a hairline fracture in his left fibula, and was sidelined for another 10 contests because of left hamstring tightness.
“It’s not ideal, but neither is being in too much pain to feel you can’t perform at a certain level,” Roberts said of Bellinger dealing with yet another injury. “Like the doc said, trainers and Cody, it’s sort of per his tolerance.”
Bellinger initially managed to play through discomfort after sustaining the injury during what appeared to be a relatively minor collision with Gavin Lux in left-center field on Monday, Sept. 13.
Raley for Bellinger, but Pollock looming
Raley is back up with the Dodgers for a sixth time this season, but is latest stint could be brief.
Roberts indicated AJ Pollock — who has been out since Sept. 5 because of a Grade 2 right hamstring strain — is due to meet the team in Denver and be activated on Thursday. The initial plan called for Pollock to participate in more simulated games at Camelback Ranch this week before returning for the Arizona Diamondbacks series.
Raley is 10-for-59 with one home run and two RBI in 30 games for the Dodgers this season.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and more!
