Cody Bellinger to miss another game, IL stint possible

The Dodgers will be without Cody Bellinger for at least one more game and possibly longer, though that might not be known for a few days.

Bellinger was spiked in the left calf by A’s pitcher Reymin Guduan in a play at first base in the ninth inning of Monday’s game. Bellinger was unavailable in Tuesday’s game as the Dodgers awaited test results, which showed no stress fracture and no structural damage in Bellinger’s leg.

“There’s residual soreness,” manager Dave Roberts said after Tuesday’s game. “I don’t know what we’re going to do, as far as IL, or no IL. I think right now we’re in a decent spot, but even with that I just don’t know when the return will be.”

Roberts said Bellinger will be unavailable for Wednesday afternoon’s series finale, and the Dodgers are off Thursday. The team could wait until Friday to see if Bellinger improves, and if they need to place him on the injured list they could still backdate it up to three days, which would functionally be the same as doing so Tuesday.

The only cost of waiting is playing with a shorter bench on Wednesday, which the Dodgers did Tuesday with Bellinger out and Chris Taylor and his left elbow contusion unavailable for hitting. It is not yet known in what capacity, if any, Taylor will be available on Wednesday.

Links & news

• More on Max Muncy’s return to Oakland, from Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register.
• Orel Hershiser talked to Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com about a 1994 Topps Stadium Club baseball card, which included a fun story about “the sod squad.”
• The 2021 All-Star Game will be held at Coors Field in Denver on July 13, MLB announced Tuesday.
• The Nationals finally began their season on Tuesday after having their first four games postponed after a COVID-19 outbreak. Players who opened on the injured list but with no reason given, are Alex Avila, Josh Bell, Patrick Corbin, Yan Gomes, Brad Hand, Josh Harrison, Jon Lester, Jordy Mercer, and Kyle Schwarber. Washington comes to Los Angeles this weekend for the Dodgers’ first home series of the year. There is no specific timetable for any players on the COVID-related injured list, but at the very least those nine players’ availability for this weekend is in question.
• Craig Goldstein guides you through the new statistical leaderboards at Baseball Prospectus.