CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger was placed on the paternity list Tuesday following the birth of his baby daughter.
The paternity list allows players to miss 1-3 games for the birth of a child.
Bellinger, 27, is hitting .300 with five home runs while playing stellar defense in center field during his first month with his new team.
The Cubs recalled Nelson Velasquez from Triple-A Iowa to take Bellinger’s spot on the roster. He started in center against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.
Velasquez, 24, is in his second stint with the Cubs this season. He hit a grand slam for Chicago earlier this month, part of a comeback victory over the Seattle Mariners.
The Cubs also announced right-handed pitcher Kyle Hendricks will begin a rehab assignment Thursday for Triple-A Iowa.
Hendricks, 33, has been out with a shoulder injury since last July. He’s expected to rejoin the major league team next month.
“He’s touched 90 (mph) a couple times,” manager David Ross said. “He’s not going to be the guy that throws 95, but when he’s at his best he has a nine in front of that number. That separates the speed and deception between the change-up.”
Hendricks is the lone player remaining from the Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship team.