Cubs get major boost to lineup as former MVP returns from IL

Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced that outfielder Cody Bellinger will be activated from the injured list Tuesday, relayed by Bruce Levine of 670 The Score on X. The full slate of moves was laid out by Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times on X, with outfielder Alexander Canario optioned to Triple-A, while right-hander Daniel Palencia was placed on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder stiffness with fellow righty Keegan Thompson recalled to take his place. Additionally, outfielder Seiya Suzuki is on a rehab assignment, playing with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Lee was among those to relay that on X.

Bellinger landed on the IL a couple of weeks ago after colliding with the Wrigley Field wall and fracturing two ribs. Despite that scary diagnosis, he’s made a quick return without going out on a rehab assignment.

Before the injury, Bellinger had hit five home runs in his first 22 games of the season. Despite a tiny .215 batting average on balls in play, he was still slashing .226/.320/.440 for a 107 wRC+. With the Cubs in 2023, he hit 26 homers and had a .307/.356/.525 batting line, which translated to a 134 wRC+.

The quick return should be good for both the club and for Bellinger personally. Assuming he finds better batted-ball luck going forward, his numbers this year could move closer to where they were last year. That would naturally be good for the club’s offense while also helping set Bellinger up for this winter.

Despite his strong 2023 season, Bellinger never found a large contract to his liking. That was perhaps partially due to his notable struggles in 2021 and 2022 in the aftermath of shoulder surgery. He returned to the Cubs on a three-year deal with opt-outs after each season, allowing him to grab a bit of financial security while also allowing him to return to free agency when he sees fit.

Another lengthy injury layoff would have hurt his chances at maximizing his earning power this coming winter, so the quick turnaround still gives him a shot at putting together a good stretch of quality playing time between now and the end of the year.

Pete Crow-Armstrong came up when Bellinger first got injured, but it seems he’s sticking around for now. His defense is excellent but he’s hitting just .216/.231/.351 on the year. Perhaps he will stick in center with Bellinger in a corner or in the designated hitter slot, with Mike Tauchman and Ian Happ in that mix. But when Suzuki is ready to come off the IL, perhaps Crow-Armstrong will be optioned back down for regular playing time with Bellinger back in the regular center-field role.