Bellinger exercised his $27.5 million player option for 2025 on Saturday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.
Bellinger was unlikely to receive an offer close to $27.5 million on the open market after posting a .751 OPS alongside 78 RBI across 569 plate appearances in 2024, so it's unsurprising to see him decide to stick around in Chicago. The 29-year-old figures to remain in an everyday role in the Cubs' outfield next season.
Bellinger is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.
Bellinger will begin Sunday's regular-season finale on the bench as Kevin Alcantara starts in right field and bats eighth. Unless he comes in to pinch hit, Bellinger will end the 2024 regular season with a .266/.325/.426 slash line, nine stolen bases, 18 home runs and 78 RBI across 569 plate appearances.
Bellinger went 3-for-5 with a triple, a run scored and four RBI in Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Phillies.
Bellinger recorded his first four-RBI game of the year as he spurred Chicago's offensive attack. The former NL MVP snapped a three-game, 0-for-12 hitless streak with the big effort. For the season, Bellinger is now batting .267 with a .757 OPS and 77 RBI across 127 games.
Bellinger is not in the lineup for Sunday's contest against the Nationals.
Bellinger will get his first day off since Aug. 7. The Cubs will go with Mike Tauchman in right field Sunday as they try to secure a series win.
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Cubs' Cody Bellinger: Drives in three Thursday
Rotowire
Bellinger went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Thursday's 7-6 win over the Nationals.
Bellinger was one of four Chicago hitters with multiple hits, and he paced the team with the three RBI. While the 29-year-old has taken a step back from last season, when he recorded 23 home runs and 97 RBI to go with an .881 OPS, he's still been fairly effective in 2024. Bellinger has 18 long balls this year, and he's now up to 73 RBI and a .767 OPS.
Bellinger went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Rockies.
Bellinger is seeing the ball well in September, going 14-for-46 (.304) with four homers and 12 RBI over 12 contests this month. Three of those homers have come over his last five games, a span in which he also has a trio of multi-hit efforts. The 29-year-old is up to a .269/.332/.438 slash line with 18 homers, 69 RBI, 67 runs scored and nine stolen bases across 118 contests in 2024.
