Chicago Cubs Star May Have Avoided Season-Altering Injury

The Chicago Cubs may have avoided a season-altering injury with star Cody Bellinger.
Chicago Cubs Star May Have Avoided Season-Altering Injury
Chicago Cubs Star May Have Avoided Season-Altering Injury /
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Cody Bellinger made a highlight reel catch when he jumped and caught Kyle Tucker’s shot at the top of the center field fence in the seventh inning of the Chicago Cubs’ 6-4 loss to the Houston Astros on Monday.

Bellinger then fell to the turf and grabbed his left knee.

Bellinger called the injury a left knee hyperextension, but he was able to walk off the field without assistance. He underwent some testing and treatment following the game.

“It’s just a little sore,” Bellinger told reporters. “You think of the worst-case situation right away, but it's definitely not that, which is nice.”

Bellinger’s status is unknown and he will be re-evaluated on Tuesday.

“Doc checked him out,” manager David Ross said. “We’ll see how he presents in the morning, but all the checks the doc did -- the ligaments and things -- seem to be OK.”

Bellinger went 1-for-3 and through 27 games this season, he’s hitting .271 with seven home runs, nine doubles, 20 RBI, 29 runs and an .830 OPS.

His defense has been incredible.

“He's a lot of fun to watch play center field,” Cubs starter Jameson Taillon told reporters about Bellinger. “I never knew he was this good at defense. I love watching him play. It looks like he's just on like a schoolyard out there, like recess, just running balls down. I saw the slow-mo replay. It was definitely scary. Hopefully he's all right. He's a big part of this team. He brings great energy every day and he's been making great plays all year. So hopefully he's back out there.”

Bellinger’s one-year, $17.5 million deal sure looks like a bargain so far. Let’s hope this injury isn’t serious.

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Andy Jasner
ANDY JASNER

Andy Jasner is a freelance writer based in the Philadelphia area. Jasner graduated from Syracuse University in 1991 and has worked for newspapers, magazines and websites including CBS SportsLine and ESPN.com. Jasner has written two books -- Baltimore Ravens and Phil Jasner: On The Case. Follow him on Twitter at @AndyJasner.