The Los Angeles Dodgers essentially played the first month of the regular season without Cody Bellinger, who was spiked in the left calf during the fifth game. There was initial optimism Bellinger would make a speedy recovery, but his timetable remains indefinite.
With the Dodgers beginning a 10-game road trip this past week, Bellinger and Zach McKinstry (right oblique strain) went to the team’s alternate training site to continue with their respective recoveries.
“I talked to him [Friday] night. He’s in a good place. Getting antsy, but he’s still a little bit of ways,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s not running at full speed, full body weight, or facing live pitching. Once he gets there, it will be a different conversation.”
Bellinger recently began running at 40% of his body weight, which wasn’t long after he said there still was some discomfort when attempting to jog.
“He is still kind of going through the progressions, taking batting practice. He hasn’t taken live at-bats, but hopefully in the coming days that will happen,” Roberts said.
In addition to needing to face live pitching, Bellinger also is waiting for the hairline fracture to fully heal. “It’s just a slow process. It’s more so pain tolerance at this point,” he said last month.
“I can’t really do much until the bone heals, which takes… I don’t really know. It depends on each person. But once that bone heals up, from what I’ve been told, you’re ready to go from there. I’ve been hitting in the cage and playing catch every day, just so I’m staying baseball ready. So once my bone is good to go, I’m ready to play.”
Dodgers miss Bellinger’s presence
On top of the Dodgers collectively struggling at the plate, Roberts said simply having the threat of Bellinger in the lineup — even if he had yet to swing the bat well — is a significant void for Max Muncy and others to offset.
“We’re not one to make excuses, but you’re missing an MVP,” Roberts said. “Certainly, other guys are getting opportunities, but as an opponent when you’re facing the Dodgers, to not let Max beat you and not have an MVP behind him, it certainly changes the dynamic.
“But credit to Max. He’s taken the walks when they’re given to him.”
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