LA Dodgers right fielder Cody Bellinger back in squad after shoulder injury

Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Cody Bellinger returned to the starting lineup against the Atlanta Braves on Monday after missing two starts due to a shoulder injury. But his return comes with one caveat: He is done playing first base.

The red-hot Bellinger sustained a right shoulder injury during the Dodgers' Friday road game against the San Diego Padres, telling reporters Saturday that his shoulder "popped out" and then immediately popped back in as he dived for a ball. Bellinger, primarily the Dodgers' right fielder, got hurt while playing first base.

"It's happened a couple of times, but Cody said he feels good," Roberts told reporters before Monday's game, according to MLB.com. "I do think, going forward, him being an outfielder makes the most sense. Being at first base, a potential dive, we'll see how that goes as time goes by." The 23-year-old Bellinger, who sat out Saturday and made a pinch-hitting appearance Sunday, has been one of the best players in the majors over the early stages of this season.

He entered Monday as the major league leader in batting average (.412), on-base percentage (.486), slugging percentage (.840), RBIs (38), hits (49) and runs scored (32). His 14 homers were second in the majors behind Milwaukee star Christian Yelich, who has 15. In other Dodgers injury news, centre fielder A.J. Pollock is slated to miss six more weeks due to the infection in his right elbow. Pollock had elbow surgery last Thursday. Pollock is batting .223 with two homers and 14 RBIs in 28 games this season.

(With inputs from agencies.)