Chicago Cubs Slugger Bellinger Gets on Track in Exciting Rehab Performance
Chicago Cubs star Cody Bellinger claimed the first hit and his first RBI of his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs during a day game against Indianapolis on Wednesday.
It was the second game of his rehab assignment, which started on Tuesday. For the second straight game he played at first base. This time, he played the entire game. On Tuesday he was removed after three at-bats.
Bellinger went 1-for-4 with an RBI in a game the Cubs won, 8-1.
He grounded out in the first inning, but advanced to second base. In the third inning he drove in the run on a sacrifice fly to left field, which scored Darius Hill. That was part of a six-run third inning for the Cubs.
Bellinger batted again in the fourth and grounded out. In the sixth he got his first hit with a single to center field. He advanced to second on a single and to third on a groundout. But he was stranded at third to end the inning.
He struck out swinging in his final at-bat in the eighth.
In Tuesday’s game Bellinger went 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
Bellinger, who has been on the 10-day injured list since May 19 with a left knee contusion, is eligible to be activated when ready. The Cubs have missed his offense, as he was slashing .271/.337/.493/.830 with seven home runs and 20 RBI before the injury.
Bellinger joined the Cubs as a free agent this offseason after the Los Angeles Dodgers decided not to tender a contract the former National League Rookie of the Year and National League MVP. His offense had taken a downturn thanks in part to injuries.
Bellinger’s 2019 season was his high mark and his MVP season. He batted .305 with 47 home runs and 115 RBI.
The following season, the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, Bellinger batted .239 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI. But he and the Dodgers won the World Series.
Since then? Bellinger’s production has plummeted. In 2021, he batted .165 in 95 games, a season shortened by a myriad of injuries. He hit 10 home runs and drove in 39 runs.
Bellinger was healthy last season but the struggles at the plate persisted, as he batted .210 with 19 home runs and 68 RBI.
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