MESA, Ariz. — As Cody Bellinger’s free-agent process dragged into spring training before signing with the Chicago Cubs last week, the slugger had to find a way to be ready.
Staying on top of the physical preparation was important, but keeping the mental side engaged was just as valuable. Mental reps became part of Bellinger’s routine with personal hitting coach Micah Franklin, whom he has known since high school and currently manages the Oakland Ballers in the independent Frontier League.
“The physical part, it’s the easier part and then getting out in the game is visualization and seeing the ball so just prepping myself as much as I could,” Bellinger said. “The visualization part of it all — (Franklin) tries to get me out and I’m trying to get hits off him so you get that competitive nature.”
Bellinger hadn’t faced live pitching since the end of the 2023 season until he took live batting practice Thursday. He logged seven at-bats Monday against right-hander Jameson Taillon and left-hander Thomas Pannone during a simulated game on the back field, recording a single off Pannone and striking out once versus each pitcher.
Bellinger will make his Cactus League debut Wednesday as the designated hitter and will likely play in the field Friday or Saturday.
“It was a perfect setting especially to get ready for Wednesday,” Bellinger said. “… I feel really confident with it. For me just building off it and obviously staying within myself through the process. I think that I’m in a great spot and I feel really confident with it.”
Familiarity with Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly and assistant hitting coach Juan Cabreja has played a role in Bellinger’s comfortability and getting locked in quickly after reporting to camp last week.
“Being able to chat even the first day in the cage, being able to chat where I’m after an at-bat, talking like how it was last year,” Bellinger said. “Just talking baseball, talking through at-bats, talking about pitches and just having fun with that.”
The sim game also sets up Taillon to make his first Cactus League start over the weekend. Taillon threw 46 pitches (28 strikes) in three innings Monday. He allowed three hits, including a two-run home run by 2023 ninth-round draft pick Jonathon Long, one walk and striking out four of the 12 batters he faced.
“He looked really good,” Bellinger said. “I thought the ball was coming in hard and his location was really good.”
Cubs injury updates
Patrick Wisdom (right quad) is no longer slated to return to the lineup Tuesday.
Although Wisdom took part in baseball activities Monday, manager Craig Counsell said his recovery “probably isn’t going as fast as we want so just be a little cautious there.” Wisdom hasn’t appeared in a game since Feb. 27.
Brennen Davis (concussion protocol) has progressed the last couple of days and began activities Monday to start the ramp-up process, which included playing catch.
The Cubs don’t have an update on a timeline for Ian Happ (left hamstring strain), though he also played catch Monday morning.
Right-hander Keegan Thompson, who dealt with neck soreness earlier in camp, made his spring debut Monday. He tossed a scoreless fifth against the San Diego Padres, allowing a single to Fernando Tatis Jr. followed by Xander Bogaerts hitting into an inning-ending double play.
