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Chicago Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger was pulled from Monday night's game against the Houston Astros after making a spectacular leaping catch in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Cody Bellinger exits the game after a spectacular catch at the wall. pic.twitter.com/JJ4kadOFNS
— MLB (@MLB) May 16, 2023
Miles Mastrobuoni pinch-hit for Bellinger in the eighth inning. After the game, Cubs' manager David Ross told reporters that it appeared that the team avoided a major injury to their center fielder but Bellinger will undergo further evaluation on Tuesday.
Bellinger echoed a similar sentiment as Ross as he told reporters after the game that he had a sense of relief that the injury was not believed to be serious.
Cody Bellinger said he felt a sense of relief postgame, as his left knee felt improved. Sore, but he does not believe it's serious. Will be checked in the morning to follow up.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) May 16, 2023
CB: "You think of the worst case situation right away, but it's definitely not that, which is nice."
Bellinger has found some offensive resurgence this season with the Cubs. Through 163 plate appearances this season, Bellinger is slashing .271/.337/.493 with a 122 wRC+ and .353 wOBA. Bellinger has 7 home runs on the season and plays like the one he made on Monday night have already made him a favorite among the Cubs' faithful.
Is Cody Bellinger in the Chicago Cubs lineup tonight?
While Bellinger may have avoided a serious injury, it seems likely that he will have the day off on Tuesday night against the Houston Astros. With a ton of space to cover in center field at Minute Maid Park and Bellinger nursing an apparent leg injury, the best course would be a day off. Christopher Morel would be the likely candidate to start in center field if Bellinger does indeed have the day off.
The only hope is that if Bellinger's injury, while not serious, is enough to force him out of several consecutive games, the Cubs should avoid being allergic to placing injured players on the injured list like they were with Nico Hoerner last week. The Cubs were forced to play several games with a shortened roster as the team did not place Hoerner on the IL until last Friday despite the injury occurring on Monday of last week.