Chicago Cubs Star May Have Avoided Season-Altering Injury

The Chicago Cubs may have avoided a season-altering injury with star Cody Bellinger.

Author:
Andy Jasner
Publish date:
May 16, 2023 10:46 AM EDT

In this story:

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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