In a disappointing turn of events, Cody Bellinger has yet to make his return to the team and remains absent from the Chicago Cubs lineup. Despite initial hopes that he would be back this weekend, Bellinger's continued absence is raising questions about the possibility of a trade before the deadline.

The lack of playing time for Bellinger means that he will have only one game to prove that he is fully recovered and healthy, which may not be enough to sway potential acquiring teams unless they have strong confidence in their medical staff.

With Bellinger sidelined and a left-handed pitcher on the mound, it was expected that Mike Tauchman would be in center field to take advantage of his near-neutral lefty/righty splits. However, manager Craig Counsell has made the decision to stick with Pete Crow-Armstrong instead. This decision has left some wondering if Crow-Armstrong's triple in the previous game played a role in his starting position, or if there are undisclosed factors, such as an injury or trade considerations, influencing the decision.

It is worth noting that Crow-Armstrong is typically not included in the lineup against left-handed pitchers when other options are available, as he has struggled significantly with a -26 wRC+ against them. On the other hand, Cole Ragans, the opposing pitcher, has demonstrated reverse splits throughout his career, making the outcome uncertain.

Meanwhile, last night's hero, Patrick Wisdom, will be starting at first base in place of Michael Busch. Additionally, David Bote will be taking over the third base position, pushing Christopher Morel to serve as the designated hitter.

As fans eagerly await Bellinger's return, the prevailing uncertainty surrounding his absence and the lineup choices has sparked speculation about a potential trade. With the trade deadline looming, it remains to be seen if Bellinger will be donning a different uniform in the near future, or if he will make a timely comeback to strengthen the Cubs' roster.