Video summary
Cody Bellinger expressed his relief and physical readiness upon returning from the injured list, stating that he felt like 100% as soon as he stepped back onto the field. He described running after balls on the bases as feeling natural and strong, indicating that his body had fully recovered from the injury. During his at-bats, Bellinger admitted to feeling a bit jumpy early in the game but noted that he settled down effectively by the fourth time up, ultimately contributing to a victory against Toronto which was a welcome result for the team.
The conversation also highlighted the strong performance of the rest of the lineup, with specific praise directed toward George Springer and Jo Adell for getting the offense going, as well as Jazz Chisholm Jr., who hit a significant home run, and Ben Rice, who had a nice at-bat against a left-handed pitcher. Bellinger emphasized that having young players like Adell and Chisholm Jr. adds a dynamic element to the lineup, noting that both are excellent baseball players who are playing very well. He specifically mentioned seeing Chisholm Jr. come out of a slump by controlling the strike zone better and feeling more comfortable at the plate, which makes him a major threat capable of getting on base, stealing bases, scoring runs, and hitting for power.
Defensively, Bellinger commended his teammate's transition to corner outfield duties, noting that despite being primarily a center fielder, he has done a tremendous job controlling his area and handling difficult plays. He described the defense as having always been good during his time in the minor leagues and felt confident in his teammate's ability to manage the outfield corners effectively. Bellinger also reflected on the specific play where he had to return to first base after a line drive to short, calling it a good test for his hamstring that went well, even though the read was difficult.
Looking ahead to the next day, Bellinger confirmed that he feels ready to go every day and plans to take it easy during the off day before returning to full action. He expressed confidence in the bottom half of the lineup's ability to be dynamic with the contributions of Adell and Chisholm Jr., believing they will continue to drive the offense effectively. Overall, Bellinger was optimistic about the team's momentum following the win, feeling that the combination of veteran experience and young talent has created a balanced and formidable unit capable of competing at a high level.
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Cody, physically, how'd you feel first
time out there?
>> Felt really good. Yeah. Um, you know,
felt honestly felt like 100%. Um, so
running after those balls on the bases
and, uh, felt felt really good.
>> Hitting your last at bat, how did you
feel like you were seeing the baseball
overall?
>> I felt all right. I felt like I was a
little jumpy early on and in that fourth
bat, I was able to settle down a little
bit. Um, it's obviously nice to to get
some results in the first and um,
obviously to get the win as well.
What did you think of the lineup today?
Obviously, a lot of guys contributed.
>> Yeah, I thought we did a really good
job. Um, obviously George and Jo Jonesy
there at the bottom getting getting us
going um a few times. Jazz with the with
the big homer. Ben Rice with the a
really nice at bat off a lefty. And um
you know those games are those games are
fun for sure. [snorts]
>> Jones, what have you thought of his
growth at this level since the first
time he got up here? Yeah, I feel like
he's controlling his at bats really
well. Um, obviously the power is there,
but he really does work a lot of good at
bats. Um, he understands what he wants
to do, uh, you know, with his plan and
with his mechanics and, um, you know,
he's a freak athlete, great defender,
and I think he's doing really well right
now.
>> You mentioned that as a fellow
outfielder. What have you thought of the
defense?
>> It's been good. Um, I feel like, you
know, I feel like that was always I felt
like it's always been good like in the
minor leagues and everything. So, um,
you know, to come out here to play the
corner outfielders, uh, as a mainly
center fielder, he's just done a
tremendous job and, um, you know, he's
controlling a lot of really good at
bats.
>> Day tomorrow, but do you feel like
you'll need any type of progression
into, you know, you feel like you can be
out there every day essentially?
>> Yeah, I feel feel ready to go.
Obviously, tomorrow with the off day, it
was just uh, works out well. um gonna
take it easy and um yeah I expect to I
feel like I expect expect to go
the bottom half of the lineup has the
ability to be a little bit more dynamic
now with Jones in it and with Lombard
just kind of the way they show today.
>> Yeah, they you know two young kids that
are they're playing really good. They're
just really good baseball players. Um
and uh I mean you know adds a little
adds a good you know dynamic to the
lineup for sure. What if um it seems
like Jazz is starting to come out of a
little bit of a slump here. Just what
what are you seeing from his at bats?
>> Yeah, I feel like he's controlling the
zone a little better. Um I think he
feels better at the plate with with what
he wants to do. And uh I mean he's such
a he's such a threat. He's, you know, he
gets on base, he steals bases, scores
runs, can go hit the long ball, and um
he's such a huge part of this lineup.
And um you know it's always good to see
him you know have some really good
success
>> needing to get back to first base on
that line out to short. Was that the
best test your hamstring has had so far?
>> That was a good test. Yeah. Um
you know it's a terrible read but it was
a good test and it felt good.