Cody Bellinger Out, Cubs Call Up Outfielder
The Chicago Cubs lost their first series this past weekend since the very start of the regular season. They’ll look to get back on track against a middling San Diego Padres team, with the series starting Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. The Cubs will be without center fielder Cody Bellinger for at least the series opener, as he was put on the paternity list prior to tonight’s game.
Bellinger and his girlfriend welcomed their second child on Sunday. Right-handed hitting outfielder Nelson Velázquez has been called up from Triple-A to take Bellinger’s spot on the team’s 26-man roster.
Up until tonight, Bellinger has started all 21 games in center field for the Cubs. He’s slashing .300/.380/.550, with 5 home runs, 15 RBI, 18 R and 4 stolen bases. Oh and he’s been one of the best defensive center fielders, too.
Nelson Velázquez Stepping Into Cubs Lineup
Velázquez, 24, was called up earlier in April after right-handed pitcher Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A heading into the team’s series against the Seattle Mariners. Velázquez definitely made the most of his only start with the Cubs when he was up, hitting his first career grand slam in the big leagues that was part of the crazy come back win against the Mariners exactly two weeks ago tonight.
Velázquez went 3-for-4, with a walk, the grand slam, a double and he scored three times in the 14-9 win.
So far in 14 games at Triple-A this season, Velázquez is slashing .327/.403/.618, with four home runs and four doubles.
The Cubs are putting Velázquez in tonight’s lineup, as he will fill in for Bellinger, who can miss up to three games while on the paternity list. Here’s tonight’s starting lineup against the Padres.
2B Nico Hoerner
SS Dansby Swanson
LF Ian Happ
RF Seiya Suzuki
3B Patrick Wisdom
DH Eric Hosmer
1B Trey Mancini
C Yan Gomes
CF Nelson Velázquez
Left-handed pitcher Blake Snell will be starting for San Diego. The lefty has struggled through his first four starts, posting a 6.00 ERA in 18 innings. He is coming off his best effort, though, as Snell only allowed two earned runs on three hits in five innings against the Atlanta Braves last week. However, Snell did walk three against the Braves and has already walked 13 batters in 18 innings.
Only four hitters on the Cubs have faced Snell during their careers, but besides Happ, the other three have hit him well.
vs. Blake Snell
Ian Happ: 0-for-4, 2 K
Eric Hosmer: 2-for-3, 1 Double
Trey Mancini: 3-for-10, 1 Home Run, 1 BB, 3 K
Yan Gomes: 3-for-11, 2 Doubles, 1 RBI
Meanwhile, left-handed starting pitcher Justin Steele will try to stop the Cubs mini losing streak after dropping the last two games of their four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this past weekend. Steele’s last start was against the Oakland A’s, who he held in check for the most part, allowing just one earned run in six innings.
Steele has won three straight games and overall has a 1.44 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 25 innings through his first four starts of 2023.