Cubs’ Cody Bellinger placed on injured list with fractured ribs

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has two fractured ribs and has been placed on the 10-day injured list, supervisor Craig Counsell mentioned Wednesday.

Bellinger, a two-time All-Star choice, crashed into the center-field wall throughout Tuesday’s recreation whereas monitoring a fly ball hit by Houston‘s Yainer Diaz that went for a double and scored Kyle Tucker. He left the sport an inning later.

Counsell mentioned after Tuesday’s recreation that the X-rays on Bellinger have been clear, however a CT scan Wednesday revealed the damage. A timeframe of his return in unclear, Counsell mentioned.

“He woke up feeling good. Unfortunately [the CT scan] just revealed what’s there,” Counsell mentioned. “… He has to get symptom-free first and then we’ll go from there.

“… He’s bummed out, for certain. Now he begins working on getting again.”

In a corresponding move, the Cubs called up Pete Crow-Armstrong, their top prospect.

Bellinger, in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, is batting .226 with five home runs and 17 RBIs.

Crow-Armstrong, 22, made his MLB debut last September and went 0-for-14 with three walks. He’s batting .203 with 2 home runs, 5 doubles and 7 RBIs at Triple-A Iowa this season.

Bellinger joined fellow outfielder Seiya Suzuki on the IL, alongside with left-handers Justin Steele (left hamstring) and Drew Smyly (proper hip), and right-handers Kyle Hendricks (low again pressure) and Julian Merryweather (rib stress fracture).

Suzuki has been out since April 14 because of a right oblique strain. Counsell said he has resumed baseball activities and could be ready to go on a rehab assignment shortly after the team returns from its upcoming seven-game road trip.

“When you lose, I believe, Seiya, if you lose Cody, gamers like that, your offense does not enhance,” Counsell said. “You know, it might probably’t, proper?

“Frankly what your goal is in those situations is to, there’s going to be a little bit of a drop-off, but you hope to minimize it as much as you can. And I do think we’re in that position, to just minimize maybe their absences a little bit.”

It stays to be seen how typically Crow-Armstrong performs whereas Bellinger is out. He entered Wednesday evening’s recreation as a defensive substitute earlier than the beginning of the eighth inning.

While Crow-Armstrong has struggled on the plate, he might assist the Cubs with his protection and baserunning. He made his large league debut final 12 months and went 0-for-14 whereas showing in 13 video games.

“I know how to play my role a little bit better now,” he mentioned. “I think I have a better understanding of how to be myself as well. So yeah, I’m just coming in again with the same goal in mind and trying to win ballgames.”

The 34-year-old Hendricks was placed on the IL on Tuesday. The right-hander mentioned his again concern popped up throughout a bullpen session final week and continued by means of his begin Sunday.

He is 0-3 with a 12.00 ERA by means of 5 begins, however he did not really feel as if the damage was a significant factor in his robust opening to the season.

“I got to keep my mindset on the execution and the pitches I’m making there. Can’t use excuses [like] that,” Hendricks mentioned. “But, on the other hand, we just want to give myself a chance to get to 100 percent so I know there aren’t any issues. I’m strictly focused on the pitching.”

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, Field Level Media and The Associated Press contributed to this report.