Cubs' Cody Bellinger lands on injured list with a fractured rib

(670 The Score) The Cubs have suffered yet another key injury.

Center fielder Cody Bellinger has suffered a right rib fracture and landed on the injured list, manager Craig Counsell said on the Parkins & Spiegel Show on Wednesday afternoon. Bellinger collided with the brick wall of Wrigley Field while trying to make a catch in the fourth inning of the Cubs’ 7-2 win against the Astros on Tuesday. He remained in the game for a time before he was pulled in the seventh inning.

It wasn’t immediately clear how long Bellinger will be out, Counsell said. A CT scan revealed the fracture Wednesday morning.

“It’s kind of unknown yet in terms of like when he’ll return, but obviously, tough news,” Counsell said.

Bellinger is hitting .226 with five homers, 17 RBIs and a .760 OPS in 22 games this season. He was the Cubs’ best hitter in 2023 and has been a driving force of their success.

“These things happen,” Counsell said. “You just process it and move on and move to the next thing you got to do. This is just a freak injury. There’s no reason to feel snakebit. You just move on.”

The Cubs will promote 22-year-old outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong from Triple-A Iowa to replace Bellinger, Counsell said. Crow-Armstrong was 0-of-14 in 13 games for the Cubs in 2023. He was hitting .203 with two homers, seven RBIs and a .633 OPS in 19 games at Triple-A this season.

“What’s important is we’re going to put the best lineup out there every day,” Counsell said. “If Pete’s involved in that, then he’ll be in there. If it’s in a different role, maybe off the bench or to play defense, then it will be that. We’ll look at the matchups and figure out the best way to put together a starting nine.”

Bellinger joins ace Justin Steele (hamstring), right fielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) and reliever Julian Merryweather (rib) as key Cubs to be sidelined right now.