Cody Bellinger has rib fracture, Pete Crow-Armstrong recalled to Cubs

The Cubs have lost center fielder Cody Bellinger to the injured list with a rib fracture, and they’re calling up their top prospect, Pete Crow-Armstrong, to take his place. Manager Craig Counsell announced the impending move on Chicago radio station 670 The Score on Wednesday afternoon.

Bellinger was injured in the top of the fourth inning of Tuesday night’s 7-2 victory over the Astros when he crashed into the brick outfield wall at Wrigley while trying to make a play on a deep fly off the bat of Yandy Díaz. The 28-year-old former MVP stayed in the game and popped out in the fifth, then exited before taking the field in the top of the seventh.

Bellinger is hitting .226 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 2024, after winning Comeback Player of the Year last season.

This will be the second big league stint for the Crow-Armstrong, who didn’t collect a hit in 19 plate appearances at the end of last year. The Cubs No. 1 prospect known for his elite defense, Crow-Armstrong has hit .203 with two homers and seven RBIs while swiping five bases in 19 games for Triple-A Iowa in 2024.