(670 The Score) After making a spectacular catch at the wall in a loss to the Astros on Monday, Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger was removed from the game, having landed awkwardly on his left leg and experiencing clear pain.
A day later, the outlook was optimistic. The Cubs believe Bellinger will be fine following the injury and are hopeful he's avoided a serious injury.
"I think he's going to be all right," manager David Ross said on the Bernstein & Holmes Show on Tuesday afternoon. "He checked out from the doc OK (Monday) night. It didn't seem like anything was major. I know he's got a little bit of soreness today. He's going to try to work out and see how much he can go when we get to the field today, get him some treatment. But a little bit stiff this morning, obviously."
Bellinger is hitting .271 with seven home runs, 20 RBIs and an .830 OPS in 37 games this season after signing a one-year, $17.5-million deal with the Cubs. He has also played terrific defense.
In other health news, Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks is on the verge of returning to the team's rotation. Hendricks has made four rehab starts with Triple-A Iowa as he returns from a capsular tear in his right throwing shoulder. He opted to rest and recover from the injury rather than undergoing offseason surgery.
Hendricks pitched five innings and allowed two earned runs at Iowa on Sunday. The Cubs optioned right-hander Hayden Wesneski to Triple-A on Monday, opening a spot in their starting rotation.
The Cubs haven't yet announced their probable starters for their series at the Philadelphia Phillies this coming weekend.
"Kyle is working his way back," Ross said. "He's going to throw a bullpen with us, still getting him built back up. I think just refining his last outing was good. The numbers looked good. Just getting him on a consistent pattern of success and just having him built up his pitches, it's kind of the path we're on."
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