Dodgers: Dave Roberts’ update on Cody Bellinger injury isn’t promising

The Los Angeles Dodgers grabbed their fifth victory of the season on Tuesday night when they once again trounced the Oakland Athletics, and were able to get the job done without Cody Bellinger.

On Monday night, the Dodgers slugger got cleated in the ninth inning when beating out a grounder to first base, and shortly afterward was considered day-to-day.

However, after getting the day off, Bellinger was still feeling sore from the incident.

Manager Dave Roberts spoke to the media after last night’s win and didn’t bring us the best news.

Though tests on Bellinger’s leg didn’t reveal any structural damage, he could still end up on the injured list.

Cody Bellinger may still hit the Dodgers’ IL.

Not the worst update in the world, but the 25-year-old just spent all offseason battling back from a surgically-repaired shoulder after he suffered a dislocation in the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves. He’s spent a considerable amount of time on the sidelines before actually getting back on track in an expedited fashion. Dodgers fans certainly don’t want to see another abbreviated campaign from the former NL MVP.

Then again, the Dodgers have the necessary depth (what else is new?) to let Bellinger take the time he needs in order to avoid all of this becoming a lingering issue.

Belli has already been ruled out for Wednesday’s afternoon game against the Oakland A’s and here’s the full quote from Roberts, per ESPN:

“There’s still obviously residual soreness, so I don’t know what we’re going to do as far as IL, no IL. I think we’re in a decent spot, but even with that, I just don’t know when the return will be.”

Better to be safe than sorry, especially since you have AJ Pollock, Zach McKinstry, Matt Beaty and others ready to fill in when needed. In the meantime, the Dodgers will have ample star power to get by and could only miss Bellinger for their upcoming series against the Nationals (who are ravaged by COVID) and Rockies. And both of them are home.

If you’re going to have to rest one of your best sluggers, it’s hard to argue this isn’t one of the best junctures to do so.

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