LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers placed star outfielder Cody Bellinger on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a left calf contusion and recalled Luke Raley to the active roster. The move is retroactive to Tuesday.
Bellinger was taken out of the game in the ninth inning of Monday’s game after a collision with A’s pitcher Reymin Guduan on a close play at first base. Bellinger did some jogging and went through drills, according to manager Dave Roberts, and there has been “steady improvement” from the outfielder. But ultimately, after missing his third straight game, the Dodgers decided to place Bellinger on the IL.
“From all the tests we’ve received, it’ll be a short-term missing of time rather than the longer term, which is great news all around,” Roberts said.
The earliest Bellinger could return from the injured list is on April 16, when the Dodgers begin a three-game series against the Padres in San Diego. With Bellinger out of the lineup, Chris Taylor will get most of the reps at center field.
Bellinger isn’t the only Dodgers outfielder dealing with an injury. Mookie Betts is out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive game with a sore lower back. The injury occurred before Wednesday’s finale against the A’s. He’s considered day-to-day.
“Not high,” Roberts said, when asked about the level of concern with Betts’ injury. “I think that where we’re at, no player is going to feel 100 percent, but giving other guys an opportunity while making sure that Mookie — it doesn’t get any worse, is most important.”
In Betts’ absence, the Dodgers are starting rookie Zach McKinstry in right field.
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