Chicago Cubs star outfielder Cody Bellinger has been placed on the injured list after suffering a fractured left middle finger during Wednesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. The injury occurred when Bellinger was hit by a pitch in the seventh inning from lefty reliever Cionel Perez. Although he initially remained in the game, Bellinger was eventually replaced by Miles Mastrobuoni.
The Cubs have responded quickly to Bellinger's absence, recalling Alexander Canario from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding roster move. Canario, a promising 23-year-old, will have big shoes to fill as the Cubs navigate the impact of losing one of their key players.
As Bellinger prepares to celebrate his 29th birthday this Saturday, his statistical contributions for the season provide a snapshot of his value to the team. Entering Thursday, Bellinger was hitting .269/.331/.410 (107 OPS+) with nine home runs, 37 RBIs, and five stolen bases, contributing an estimated 1.1 Wins Above Replacement according to Baseball Reference’s estimates.
The Cubs hold a 44-49 record and find themselves 10 games back in the National League Central and 3 1/2 games shy of the NL's final wild-card spot. Bellinger’s injury significantly raises questions about the Cubs' strategy as the trade deadline approaches. "With the way the season has spiraled for the Cubs, we think they have to at least contemplate listening to offers for Bellinger," suggested an insider. The outfielder’s three-year pact allows him to opt out after each season, adding another layer of uncertainty to his future with the team. "Remember, his three-year pact allows him to opt out after each season, meaning there's no actual assurance either way that he'll be on Chicago's roster come Opening Day 2025," the insider added.
Despite not having as strong a season as he did in 2023, Bellinger remains a valuable player. "We'll concede that Bellinger isn't having as good of a year as he did in 2023, and that teams may have additional concerns about his unusual profile as a result," noted the insider. This variability in performance could influence his trade value. "That, in turn, could make it more likely that he stays in place — either because teams are concerned he'll opt-in and decline, or because teams try to use that possibility to leverage the Cubs into a worse return," the insider elaborated. However, a surge in performance before the deadline could alter the dynamics. "A well-timed heater between now and the deadline could change things, however, and even in this current reality, he's an above-average contributor capable of standing in center field. That's something," the insider said.
The Cubs' immediate schedule does not offer any respite, as they wrap up their series with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday before facing off against the St. Louis Cardinals. The team will need to rally and fill the void left by Bellinger’s absence, leaning on both veteran players and up-and-coming talents like Canario. As the trade deadline looms, questions about the team’s long-term strategy and Bellinger’s role will persist, but for now, the Cubs must focus on the immediate task at hand.