The Houston Astros are reportedly interested in acquiring Cody Bellinger, the former MVP of the Los Angeles Dodgers, to fill their first base needs. According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, the 48-44 Astros are eyeing Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs.
However, uncertainty surrounds their interest following Bellinger’s placement on the injured list due to a fractured finger sustained after being hit by a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Bellinger is expected to be sidelined until late July but could return after the MLB All-Star break, as reported by Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune.
Despite the injury setback, Bellinger is viewed as a potentially valuable addition due to his credentials. A two-time former MLB All-Star and last year’s Comeback Player of the Year, Bellinger has posted a .269/.331/.410 slash line with nine home runs and 37 RBIs in 79 games this season.
Cody Bellinger (fractured left middle finger) is shut down through All-Star break & then begin range of motion rehab.
He could be back late July but too soon for Cubs to know how long it’ll take for fracture to heal as it varies.
Bellinger: “Extremely disappointed, frustrated.”
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 11, 2024
Bellinger spent his entire career with the Dodgers before joining the Cubs for the past two seasons. Drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft, he played six seasons in Los Angeles, although his final years there were marred by injuries and a decline in performance, including a .165 batting average in 2021. Bellinger became a free agent and signed with the Cubs in late 2022.
In addition to Bellinger, the Astros are reportedly interested in several other first basemen, including Pete Alonso from the New York Mets, Christian Walker from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Andrew Vaughn from the Chicago White Sox.
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