Cody Bellinger will remain the Chicago Cubs’ designated hitter for the foreseeable future.
Bellinger’s left middle finger, which he fractured on July 10 when hit by a pitch, is still bothering him on throws. Manager Craig Counsell ruled out Bellinger playing in the field during the Cubs’ three-game series versus the Minnesota Twins that began Monday.
Bellinger, who was in the lineup spot as their designated hitter in the series opener, feels the discomfort in the finger when making throws with intent.
“It’s not very enjoyable, that’s the best way to say it,” Counsell explained. “We’re making progress, it’s just going a little slower.”
Bellinger continues to throw regularly and is stretching out, but his finger is not in a place where he or the Cubs feel comfortable using him defensively. When Bellinger is ready to play in the field, Counsell said Pete Crow-Armstrong will get the bulk of starts in center field over the final two months.
Despite the discomfort lingering, which both sides expected when he came off the injured list July 29, Bellinger entered Monday 8-for-24 since returning with one double, two home runs and six RBIs.
“He’s playing with an issue right now, and he’s done a good job with it,” Counsell said. “You’ll see some moments during the game, or a swing or kind of the way the ball comes off the bat, that it hurts. I mean, it doesn’t feel good. But he’s been able to manage it and stay in there and contribute.”
Injury updates
Seiya Suzuki got a night off from the starting lineup because of neck stiffness he’s been dealing with.
Counsell initially intended to keep him out of Sunday’s lineup for a brief break but changed that plan when left fielder Ian Happ was unable to play because of shoulder soreness. Happ was back out there Monday night. Counsell anticipates Suzuki playing Tuesday.
Right-hander Adbert Alzolay (right flexor strain) is scheduled to have season-ending surgery Tuesday, and the Cubs aren’t expecting to have information on the exact procedure he undergoes until Wednesday. Counsell noted Alzolay’s surgery could be impacted by tropical storm Debby which is hitting the south-to-southeastern part of the country.
Infielder Nick Madrigal (broken hand) is currently in Arizona getting close to starting a rehab assignment.
Cubs promote trio of prospects to Triple A
Three of the Cubs’ top-10 prospects have earned a promotion to Triple-A Iowa.
Infielder Matt Shaw (No. 2 overall by MLB.com), infielder James Triantos (No. 4) and outfielder Kevin Alcántara (No. 6) have each reached Triple A for the first time in their professional careers. All three had to this point spent the entire season with Double-A Tennessee. Shaw, 22, posted a .279/.373/.468 slash line with 27 extra-base hits in 86 games for the Smokies. Alcántara, who is on the Cubs’ 40-man roster, owned a .272 average, .342 on-base percentage and .409 slugging percentage along with 22 extra-base hits in 76 games. Triantos, 21, hit .300 while recording a .345 OBP and .437 slugging percentage with 30 extra-base hits in 89 games.
“Prospects being moved up means they’ve had success,” Counsell said. “Moving to another level, and the level closest to the big leagues, is more experience, so when you start to just look at that, the safest thing to say is it signals depth in your position player group, especially for next year, and where that all kind of plays out, gives Jed (Hoyer) some choices certainly.
“We’ve got a lot of high-quality position players now at the Triple-A level, young, on the cusp of the big leagues, improving, and that’s where an organization wants to try to get themselves.”
