Cubs' Cody Bellinger Placed on IL With Finger Injury Amid MLB Trade Rumors

The Chicago Cubs are moving outfielder Cody Bellinger to the 10-day injured list because of a fracture in his left middle finger.

The 2023 Silver Slugger winner was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

The injury comes as Bellinger is the subject of trade rumors ahead of the July 30 deadline.

At 44-49, the Cubs are sitting last in the National League Central, but they're just 3.5 games back of the final wild-card spot. Should they decide to pack it in and become a seller within the next few weeks, Bellinger is one of the more logical candidates to go out the door based on his contract structure.

Though the 28-year-old penned a three-year, $80 million contract with Chicago last offseason, it effectively operates as a one-year rolling pact. He can opt out this winter or after the 2025 season.

Chicago could look to cash out now if the front office senses he wants to test his value on the open market again.

Granted, Bellinger's performance means he might be wary of turning down a $27.5 million salary. Through 79 games, he has a .269/.331/.410 slash line and a 107 OPS+, which is well below his 135 OPS+ from 2023, per Baseball Reference.

If the left-handed slugger was unable to secure a nine-figure payout on the heels of becoming an elite hitter again, then one presumably won't be forthcoming after his production has declined slightly.

For now, any interested suitors in Bellinger will remain in a holding pattern until he makes his return to the field.