Dodgers place Cody Bellinger on injured list due to calf problem

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed former NL MVP Cody Bellinger on injured reserve with a bruised left calf.

The World Series champions made the move before Bellinger and his teammates received their championship rings ahead of the Dodgers’ home opener against Washington.

Bellinger was accidentally spiked by Athletics reliever Reymin Guduan while beating out an infield single in the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ 10-3 win in Oakland.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said they had not seen “significant” improvement in Bellinger’s leg since the injury, but the outfielder was already jogging and moving. He missed the final two games of Los Angeles’ series in Oakland.

“All the tests say it’ll be a short-term missing of time rather than a long-term, which is great news all around,” Roberts said.

Bellinger batted .211 with two RBIs in the first four games of the season. He is eligible to return April 16 when the Dodgers open a series in San Diego.

Mookie Betts also wasn’t in the starting lineup for the Dodgers’ home opener against Washington due to back stiffness, but Roberts thought the former AL MVP could be available to pinch-hit. Betts was scratched from Wednesday’s game in Oakland.

Versatile veteran Chris Taylor took Bellinger’s typical starting spot in center field for the Dodgers’ home opener. Zach McKinstry started for Betts in right field.

Dodgers place Cody Bellinger on injured list due to calf problem originally appeared on NBCSports.com