Dodgers' Cody Bellinger Benched by Dave Roberts for Not Hustling vs. Giants

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger was taken out of Sunday's 4-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants in the sixth inning, and manager Dave Roberts said it was due to a lack of hustle, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.

"I'm always hustling. It just didn't make sense to me, but I get it, as well," Bellinger said, per Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times. "He's trying to prove a point. … "I don't think anyone can tell me how to play. I've always played hard."

Gurnick noted Bellinger was doubled up off second base on a line drive after leading off the fifth inning with a double and was removed an inning later.

"There's certain expectations about the way we play the game," Roberts said, per McCullough. "When you don't abide by that, we'll get somebody in there who will."

As SportsNet LA shared, Roberts cited a lack of hustle out of the box from Bellinger on his double:

"I got in the dugout and he said I was out of the game," Bellinger said when asked if he was given a reason for the benching, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. "Didn't know any reason. Just put on my jacket, went to the railing and watched the game."

Plunkett added more context to the situation:

The Dodgers could have used his presence in the lineup for the latter portion of the game considering they were in comeback mode throughout the contest after allowing three runs in the opening inning.

Bellinger had two hits in two at-bats and improved his slash line to .291/.351/.476 to go along with three home runs and 12 RBI. He was a force last year on the way to National League Rookie of the Year, hitting .267/.352/.581 with 39 home runs and 97 RBI while helping lead the Dodgers to the World Series.

Max Muncy entered Sunday's contest for Bellinger and scored in the seventh after reaching via an infield single.

Los Angeles' next contest is Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.