The Los Angeles Dodgers only had Cody Bellinger in their lineup for four games prior to a hairline fracture in his left fibula that led to spending six weeks on the 10-day injured list. Bellinger then was active for only two weeks before being sidelined by left hamstring tightness.
The Dodgers initially hoped he would manage to avoid a second IL stint of the season but ultimately decided to take that route when Bellinger didn’t respond well the first couple days. He’s since turned a corner, however, and is on track to be activated next week during the San Diego Padres series.
“I think it was Wednesday, he was at 100% (running),” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “[Thursday] was a recovery day, and he responded really well.”
That Bellinger was able to fully test his hamstring without suffering a setback was a key hurdle that needed to be cleared. “And the recovery part was another. So those two have been checked. I think just in the days coming, make sure he continues to keep the strength in the hamstring,” Roberts explained.
“As you run, the hamstring — when it’s not right — there’s a little strength fatigue. I’ve gone through it myself. When it is back to right, then there isn’t that kind of fatigue in the hamstring. As long as we have that, he’s in a good place and it’s just taking at-bats. I expect him to be ready to go in that San Diego series.”
Bellinger took a day for rest on Thursday, then resumed his activities at Camelback Ranch. “Did a run through of BP, at-bats, running around and throwing. It was a good day for him,” Roberts said.
Bellinger’s IL stint was backdated to June 12, which makes Tuesday — the second game against the Padres — the earliest he can be reinstated.
Dodgers expecting Muncy back
Like Bellinger, Max Muncy is also progressing well since the team elected to err on the side of caution. Muncy has been out since June 12 because of a right oblique strain that was considered relatively mild to begin with.
Muncy joined the Dodgers for batting practice and a pregame workout at Chase Field before the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“I think we’re hoping that second or third day in San Diego is very possible,” Roberts said of a return.
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