The Dodgers announced they’ve reinstated outfielder Cody Bellinger in advance of tonight’s game against the Padres. Infielder Andy Burns has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move.
Bellinger, out since June 11 with left hamstring tightness, missed barely more than the minimal ten days on the IL this time around. It was his second stint of the year, as the former NL MVP missed the majority of April and May with a left calf issue. Between the IL stints, Bellinger has been fairly shaky, hitting .226/.324/.323 with just one home run in 71 plate appearances. Surely, the Dodgers anticipate the 25-year-old finding his past form at the plate with the benefit of better health.
Even with very few contributions from Bellinger, the Dodgers have gotten off to the second-best start in the National League (44-29). They’re three games back of the division-leading Giants, though. Back-to-back losses to the third-place Padres in the first two games of the series have brought San Diego within a game and a half of L.A. entering tonight’s contest.
