As the Los Angeles Dodgers were in the process of coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the National League Championship Series, Cody Bellinger dislocated his right shoulder during a celebration that came after a key home run.
Bellinger immediately went into the training room to have his shoulder popped back into place and he finished out Game 7. The former Rookie of the Year and MVP had dealt with shoulder trouble in the past, which prompted the Dodgers to limit his time at first base last year.
Bellinger and manager Dave Roberts each downplayed any lingering concern heading into the World Series. Their confidence appeared to be validated with Bellinger not missing any of the six games against the Tampa Bay Rays.
However, he since has undergone shoulder surgery as a result of the dislocation, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan:
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the right shoulder he dislocated celebrating a home run in Game 7 of the NLCS, sources tell ESPN.
Bellinger is expected to miss 10 weeks, which would put him on track to return by spring training.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2020
The timeline provided has Bellinger on track to be 100% by the final week of January. That would be roughly two weeks prior to the start of Spring Training next year. Of course, the Dodgers won’t rush matters and prioritize his health for the regular season over Cactus League play.
Bellinger changed celebration
While he largely laughed off the dislocated shoulder, Bellinger did change to a toe-tap routine upon hitting his next home run in the postseason. “I think I’ll continue to do that. Maybe my whole career, who knows,” Bellinger said after Game 1 of the World Series.
“I said it today before the game. I was like, ‘If I ever hit one, I’m not touching anybody’s arm. I’m going straight foot,'” he said. “It was pretty funny.”
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