It was quite the homecoming weekend for Ex-LA and current Chicago centerfielder Cody Bellinger. He came back to Southern California for a weekend series against his former team and left a happy man.
In fact this is a story about MLB returns from LA to Japan.
Bellinger Returns to Los Angeles
Cody Bellinger made a triumphant return to Los Angeles over the weekend leading the Cubs to a series victory. Bellinger who spent his first six major league seasons with the Dodgers, had a hit in each game of the series.
Friday night he got a standing ovation but by Saturday night, he was hearing boos. That was likely because of this defensive play robbing Jason Heyward of a home run.
Former Dodger Cody Bellinger robs former Cub Jason Heyward of a home run
… and enjoys the boos 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/9Bv26cP44g
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) April 16, 2023
In Sunday’s series finale, he followed Pete Wisdom’s home run with one of his own. It ended up being the winning run.
CODY BELLINGER GOES DEEP IN HIS RETURN TO DODGER STADIUM pic.twitter.com/CKv4G4z0n6
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 16, 2023
Did a change of scenery help Bellinger turn his game around? Only time will tell but Bellinger only had 8 RBI last April and this April he has 10 runs batted in with two weeks left in the month.
Tatis Return Coming This Week
Another return is set for April 20 when Fernando Tatis will be reinstated from his 80 game suspension for using performance enhancing drugs. In the meantime, he’s terrorizing pitchers in Triple A. He’s hit six homeruns in his last three games including this shot against Albuquerque:
Fernando Tatis Jr. just homered again.
That’s 6 and counting over the course of 3 games.
His Triple A OPS is nearing 2.000.
April 20th awaits.
— Padres Nation (@NationPadres) April 16, 2023
Harper nearing a return in Philadelphia
According to the Phillies, former National League MVP Bryce Harper will be back sooner than later, possibly on Memorial Day. And when he comes back he’ll be carrying a first baseman’s glove. The Phillies lost 1B Rhys Hoskins to a season ending knee injury during spring training and haven’t found a suitable replacement. Harper could be that guy.
This lineup needs Bryce Harper pic.twitter.com/7pGj7scWfQ
— Justin Lever ❤️⚾️ (@JustinLever3) April 4, 2023
After breaking his left thumb and missing a total of 58 days last year, Bryce Harper made 10 plate appearances in two triple-A games, cut off his minor league assignment, and rejoined the Phillies’ lineup.
Based on that experience, how many at-bats might he need in the minors as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery? His manager John Collins was quoted as saying “I really don’t know if he will go on an assignment,”
Bauer is back—in Japan
Last but not least Trevor Bauer returned to the mound for the first time in two years. The 2020 Cy Young Award winner pitched his first competitive game in almost two years Sunday and said he is almost ready to debut in Japanese baseball.
Pitching for the Yokohama BayStars’ minor league team, Bauer allowed four hits and no runs and struck out six in four innings before 2,600 fans.
I don’t know about Trevor Bauer’s routine before the game and in the inning during MLB. I was very excited to see him be prepared for the game. His pitching was so energetic. It was sunny. I was lucky to see him pitch at Yokosuka Stadium. Good luck with your career in Japan🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/T3fPVvduwF
— 村上陽平 (@sleepingtopuppy) April 16, 2023
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