The Los Angeles Dodgers activated outfielder Cody Bellinger from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, while placing veteran infielder Albert Pujols on the IL with no reason specified.
Bellinger, 26, has struggled through an injury-marred season that included recovery from offseason shoulder surgery, a fracture in his leg and hamstring issues. His latest IL stint was for a fractured left rib that occurred when teammate Gavin Lux ran into him in left-center field.
The 2019 National League MVP has been a shell of his former self, batting .159 in 89 games this season with 88 strikeouts compared to 48 hits. He is a career .257 hitter over five seasons with the Dodgers and has 132 home runs with 352 RBIs.
Pujols, 41, has been solid in a reserve role for the Dodgers, batting .255 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs in 82 games since joining the club after he was released by the Los Angeles Angels in May.
The three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star is a career .297 hitter with 679 home runs in 2,968 games with the St. Louis Cardinals, Angels and Dodgers.
The Dodgers entered play Tuesday two games behind the San Francisco Giants in their quest for a ninth consecutive NL West title.
–Field Level Media