Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has been sent to the injured list following a fractured left middle finger, an injury he sustained during Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The mishap occurred in the seventh inning when Bellinger, a vital cog in the Cubs’ lineup, was hit by a pitch from Orioles’ lefty reliever Cionel Perez.
Bellinger initially soldiered on, remaining in the game for a brief period before being replaced by utility player Miles Mastrobuoni. This move proved inevitable as the severity of the injury became apparent. In a corresponding roster move, the Cubs have recalled 23-year-old Alexander Canario from their Triple-A affiliate in Iowa.
Bellinger's Impact and Injury Implications
This injury is ill-timed for a Cubs team already reeling from an underwhelming season. Bellinger's performance leading up to his injury saw him hitting .269/.331/.410 (107 OPS+) with nine home runs, 37 runs batted in, and five stolen bases. His Wins Above Replacement (WAR) stands at an estimated 1.1 according to Baseball Reference, signaling his value despite not matching his stellar 2023 season.
Bellinger, who turns 29 this Saturday, faces an uncertain season going forward. The loss is particularly significant given the Cubs' precarious position in the standings. They currently hold a 44-49 record, sitting 10 games back in the competitive National League Central and 3 1/2 games shy of the NL's final wild-card spot. Such metrics underscore the urgency and impact of Bellinger’s absence.
Strategic Decisions Loom Large
As the MLB trade deadline approaches, Bellinger's injury further complicates the Cubs' strategic conundrum. There's rising speculation about whether the Cubs should entertain trade offers for Bellinger, especially given the team's current spiral. "With the way the season has spiraled for the Cubs, we think they have to at least contemplate listening to offers for Bellinger," noted an insider.
Compounding the uncertainty is Bellinger's three-year contract, which allows him to opt out after each season. "Remember, his three-year pact allows him to opt out after each season, meaning there's no actual assurance either way that he'll be on Chicago's roster come Opening Day 2025," added the insider. This clause introduces a layer of complexity to any potential trade discussions.
Critics and analysts alike have posited that Bellinger isn’t replicating his peak form from the previous year. "We'll concede that Bellinger isn't having as good of a year as he did in 2023, and that teams may have additional concerns about his unusual profile as a result," explained an insider. Yet, despite these concerns, Bellinger continues to be viewed as an above-average contributor, especially in a demanding position like center field.
This duality—an underperforming but still valuable player—makes Bellinger’s future a pivotal talking point. "That, in turn, could make it more likely that he stays in place—either because teams are concerned he'll opt-in and decline, or because teams try to use that possibility to leverage the Cubs into a worse return," suggested an insider. A scenario such as this could profoundly influence the dynamics of the Cubs’ trade strategies.
Immediate Steps Forward
In the short term, the Cubs will be adjusting their lineup to compensate for Bellinger’s absence. They've pinned their hopes on Alexander Canario from Triple-A Iowa to fill that void. Whether this move will offer sufficient support remains to be seen as the Cubs prepare to wrap up their series against the Baltimore Orioles and subsequently face the St. Louis Cardinals.
High-stakes decisions await as the team evaluates its position in the standings and its strategy for the remainder of the season. A well-timed resurgence from Bellinger, assuming a swift recovery, could alter the current narrative. "A well-timed heater between now and the deadline could change things, however, and even in this current reality, he's an above-average contributor capable of standing in center field. That's something," concluded an insider.
As the countdown to the trade deadline continues, the Cubs find themselves at a crossroads. The handling of Bellinger’s injury and its subsequent ripple effects will be scrutinized closely, with the potential to significantly shape the team’s future.