The Los Angeles Dodgers have jumped out to an MLB-best 14-4 to begin the regular season despite being without Cody Bellinger for the past two weeks.
The 25-year-old remains on the 10-day injured list with a left calf injury, which he suffered on April 5 after inadvertently being spiked by Oakland Athletics reliever Reymin Guduan at first base.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has since revealed that Bellinger sustained a hairline fracture in his left fibula. He nonetheless continues making progress and accompanied the club on their road trip to San Diego and Seattle.
“Had a really good day of work. Did some light jogging, taking some swings, played catch, he’s going to take some balls off the bat,” Roberts said before the series opener at T-Mobile Park.
“Today was a good considerable day. Hopefully he comes out it feeling good and we just continue to progress.”
Despite the positive development, Roberts stopped short of offering a timetable for Bellinger’s return. “He’s just going to do the same progression, just a little bit more each day,” Roberts said.
“We’re hesitant to put a timetable on his return. It’s kind of day-to-day as far as his progression. Once he starts taking at-bats and running full speed, then we’ll have a better idea.”
While Roberts didn’t provide a potential target date for Bellinger getting back on the field, he previously told MLB Network’s Alanna Rizzo that he could be activated off the injured list in the next week or two.
Betts ‘sore,’ but X-rays negative
In addition to Bellinger’s absence, the Dodgers recently went through a stretch without Mookie Betts due to lower back stiffness.
Betts returned last week but now is dealing with a new injury after being hit by a pitch on the inside of his right forearm in Monday’s opener against the Mariners.
Fortunately for the Dodgers and Betts, X-rays came back negative. However, it is worth noting that these types of tests aren’t always proven completely conclusive.
L.A. will likely be cautious with Betts, as he missed Tuesday’s game, but the initial expectation is he will be back in the lineup for the series opener against the Padres.
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