Dodgers Team News

Dodgers: Cody Bellinger Makes His Opening Day Status Prediction

Another day, another update on Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger. In today’s installment of as the Cody turns, the world champ echoed the sentiments of manager Dave Roberts when it comes to his health and recovery from offseason shoulder surgery.

Things are on schedule. Taking it a step further, he feels he’s actually ahead of schedule.



With am570’s David Vassegh, among others, Belli talked about his status early in camp and when he expects to be in the Dodger lineup for Cactus League play.

Next week, I’m basically full go … I’m feeling really good … I’m taking it to where I know my shoulder’s gonna be OK

Of course, Bellinger had surgery to correct a separated shoulder, an injury he suffered celebrating an eventual NLCS clinching home run last October. Still, this isn’t the first time the 25-year-old has dislocated that shoulder. In fact, he’s suffered minor separations multiple times as a big leaguer, most recently on a diving play at first base in 2019.

Related: Cody Bellinger Undergoes Surgery on His Injured Shoulder

Now, the former NL MVP is feeling good — maybe even a little too good. Cody notes in his chat with Vassegh that he started hitting/swinging much earlier than expected.

Yeah, I’m way ahead of schedule — I feel really good. I was supposed to start hitting late February, but I’ve been hitting for a few weeks now. I did defense yesterday. Next week I’m on the field hitting and live BP at the end of the week or the next week at best.

Feeling good notwithstanding, Bellinger still plans to play it safe early in camp noting that he doesn’t expect to play in games until about March 15th while he continues to test and strengthen that shoulder. But, if all goes according to plan, his expectations on being in the opening day lineup will have Dodger fans feeling pumped.

I will 100% be ready for opening day if everything is going as planned. As of now, I will 100% say that with confidence.

Opening day is 5 weeks away for Los Angeles. Oh, and most importantly, Belli says he will never forearm bash a teammate again.

NEXT: Dustin May Cranks up the Heat in the Second Week of Spring Training

Clint Pasillas

Clint Pasillas has been writing, blogging, and podcasting about the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2008. Under Clint's leadership as the Lead Editor, Dodgers Nation has grown into one of the most read baseball sites in the world with millions of unique visitors per month. Find him online on Twitter/X or his YouTube channel!

2 Comments

  1. Looking good! Cody could be ripe for a big year. His shoulder has never been 100%. And now it is. He had a lot of hard hit balls last year. I watched a lot of games on the tube. He hit a lot of balls right at people. It is a game of inches; and a cleaned up shoulder could be the ticket to getting some of those balls through. Looking forward to 2021!

  2. Cody is a athlete , you tend to recover quicker when your younger and PT is the best remedy. I expect Bellinger to have a monster year 2021 . He will bat in the 290’s 45 HR and 110 RBI while playing a stellar center field.

    Peddle to the metal Go Dodgers go win your 9th Division Title and Back to Back World Champs you guys have everything it takes to win it all .

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