Dodgers News: Cody Bellinger Ramps Up Effort, Rehab Assignment Coming Next
We already saw it on Friday. Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger was moving a lot better as he continues to make his way back from a hairline fracture in his left leg. The outfielder posted video of himself on social media where he was running and making hard stops and starts at Camelback Ranch in Arizona.
Before Friday night’s game, Dave Roberts talked about what he saw from Bellinger on video earlier in the day.
Yeah, he was moving. I got that he ran up to about 19 miles-an-hour. It was effortless. He wasn’t compensating.
That 19 miles-per-hour figure Roberts estimates was at about 80% effort for Cody, who paced the Dodgers in sprint speed in 2020 at 28.6 ft per second, according to Baseball Savant.
Related: Cody Bellinger Running Well in Recent New Video
With the team seemingly losing AJ Pollock once again after he reinjured that balky left hamstring on Friday night, Bellinger’s return suddenly has an added importance. However, Doc Roberts remains reluctant to rush him. The manager shared details on what comes next for Cody.
He’ll take some simulated at-bats tomorrow. Hopefully, sometime later next week we’ll send him out on a rehab assignment. [The length,] that’s kind of contingent on how he’s feeling, getting his legs under him, how he’s performing … so I really don’t want to put a number on it yet.
The Dodgers have played 33 of 38 games this season without Cody. A few more games won’t necessarily hurt.
NEXT: AJ Pollock Exits Friday Night’s Game With Apparent Injury
