X-rays negative after Bellinger HBP on knee

LOS ANGELES -- X-rays were negative on the right knee of Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger, who was removed from Monday night's 4-3 win shortly after Reds starter Luis Castillo drilled him with a 95.5 mph fastball in the third inning.

“That one hurt,” Bellinger said. “Hit me in a good spot, so, nothing serious and wake up [Tuesday] and see how I feel. That hurt real bad, for sure. It took a minute or two to stop grimacing. Walked to first, so I knew it was fine. Tried to walk it off, but we decided to get to the training room.”

Bellinger, who leads the National League with nine homers, had an RBI ground-rule double in the first inning and came up with one out in the third after a walk to Justin Turner.

Bellinger tried to back away from an 0-1 fastball, but it hit him on the right knee, the ball caroming high in the air. After being attended to at home plate, Bellinger walked gingerly to first base, jogged a bit and seemed to talk his way into staying in the game with manager Dave Roberts.

But after each pitch to the following batters, Bellinger walked or jogged, appearing to be in discomfort. When the inning was over, he was replaced in right field by Alex Verdugo at the start of the fourth.

“Can’t make a decision now on his status for [Tuesday],” Roberts said after the game.