The Chicago Cubs drafted Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with 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, although Mike Tauchman took over centerfield 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 the Diaz.
Bellinger seemed fine after the game, but looked clearly uncomfortable in the duo later. He left the game in the top of the seventh inning
Bellinger initially expressed confidence that he had avoided a 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 after the adrenaline wore 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 he signed with the Cubs last offseason. He has an opt-out after each contract season, meaning he has a very good reason to stay healthy this year after a resurgent season last year.
His injury will be an opportunity for Crow-Armstrong, MLB Pipeline’s No. 15 prospect in baseball. Acquired from the New York Mets in 2021 via the Javier Báez trade, the 22-year-old went hitless in a cup of coffee last season, but scouts believe his combination of speed, contact and defense makes him a big asset moving forward of the Cubs.
