The Chicago Cubs drafted Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to a right rib fracture after a costly collision with the ivy-covered brick wall of Wrigley Field.
Top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong was called up to replace Bellinger on the 26-man roster. Mike Tauchman took over center field duties for Wednesday’s game against the Houston Astros.
The injury occurred in the top of the fourth inning on Tuesday, when Astros catcher Yainer Diaz hit a fly ball to the warning track in left center field. Bellinger tracked the ball down, but it flew off his glove and into the wall. Bellinger’s torso followed. He managed to catch the ball before it hit the ground, but it was still a double for Diaz.
Bellinger seemed fine after the game, but later seemed to be in obvious discomfort in the duo-out. He left the game in the top of the seventh inning.
Bellinger expressed confidence that he had avoided significant injury after the match, telling reporters that his X-rays were negative and describing the problem as “a very dull pain.” Via Marquee Sports Network:
“I’m actually happy with where I am right now, the post-adrenaline has worn off,” Bellinger said. “So in a good place right now with how it feels. Tomorrow morning I’ll wake up, see how I feel, and we’ll go from there.
Apparently he didn’t feel well the next day, or later imaging found a problem.
Bellinger is in the first year of a three-year, $80 million contract signed with the Cubs this offseason. He has an opt-out after each season of his contract, meaning he has plenty of motivation to stay healthy this year after a resurgent season last year.
Bellinger’s injury creates an opportunity for Crow-Armstrong, MLB Pipeline’s No. 15 prospect in baseball. Acquired from the New York Mets in the Javier Báez trade in 2021, the 22-year-old went hitless in a cup of coffee last season, but scouts believe his combination of speed, contact and defense will make him a big asset for the future of the Cubs.
