The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Cody Bellinger and placed Albert Pujols on the injured list prior to Tuesday’s series opener against the San Diego Padres.
An injury designation was not provided for Pujols, which manager Dave Roberts then explained was due to the future Hall of Famer feeling under the weather after receiving the second dose of a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
Pujols last appeared in a game on Sunday, with he pinch-hit during the sixth inning of a 3-0 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers then had a scheduled off day Monday before beginning their final homestand of the regular season.
After making more starts than initially anticipated upon signing with the Dodgers, Pujols has settled in nicely to a bench role.
“I got my routine that I have every day,” Pujols said last week of how he prepares himself to come off the bench.
“I smell it a little bit when I think I’m going to get in the game, and I get myself loose and get ready to play. I come to the ballpark every day, whether I’m not in the lineup or playing, ready to play because you never know.
“The last thing you want to do is just sit on the bench, especially in cold weather like this. I was up and down, running a little bit, getting loose, doing my routine that I normally do every day when I’m not in the lineup.”
Bellinger back, but not in Dodgers lineup
Bellinger is back on the first day he was eligible to be reinstated. He landed on the IL because of a non-displaced fracture suffered in his left ribs as a result of what appeared to be a relatively minor collission with Gavin Lux in the outfield.
The IL stint was Bellinger’s third this season, as he previously missed time due to a hairline fracture in his left fibula and left hamstring tightness cost him another 10 games.
The pain Bellinger was feeling from the injury began to subside over the past week, which allowed for him to participate in batting practice at Chase Field and clear the way for a return after missing eight games.
Although Bellinger is active for the series opener against the Padres, Lux remains the starter in center field.
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