Although the Los Angeles Dodgers are having another great season, they have done it without getting much production from 2019 National League MVP Cody Bellinger.
The 26-year-old has a .174/.258/.336 batting line with nine home runs and 64 wRC+ in 66 games as he regains strength in his shoulder after undergoing offseason surgery.
Bellinger has also been limited this season by a fracture tibia in his left fibula, which could be part of the reason he hasn’t been putting up the numbers expected of the two-time All-Star.
Because of his struggles and the talented Dodgers’ lineup, Bellinger has been dropped in the lineup for most of his recent games played, hitting fifth or lower in 31 of his starts.
Despite the challenging season, Bellinger is confident he can get back to producing to help the Dodgers win, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“You look at the guys ahead of you, and you’re like well, of course, they’re gonna hit in front of me.” Bellinger said. “They’re balling. Everyone’s balling. Obviously, it’s humbling. But it’s fine. Everyone’s road is different. (I know) what I can do out there. I know I can get to that point.”
Bellinger has put together stretches where he has looked better at the plate in August. But he recently endured another downturn by going hitless in four games, batting 0-for-13 during that stretch.
Bellinger’s playing time could change later this week if Mookie Betts is activated off the 10-day injured list as expected. Bellinger previously was set to fill a bench role before Betts required a second IL stint because of right hip inflammation.
Roberts confident in Bellinger
While Bellinger has fallen well short of expectations this season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts regularly emphasizes his value defensively and improved at-bat quality as reason to remain optimistic.
“Certainly, I think we’re on our way,” Roberts recently said of Bellinger’s swing. “He’s been working on it. I’ve said it every day. He’s working hard, he’s strengthening that shoulder. For us to go where we expect to go, he’s a big part of it.”
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