Dodgers’ Bellinger wins first Gold Glove award
Dodgers outfielder-first baseman Cody Bellinger won a National League Gold Glove award as a right fielder on Sunday. Bellinger was selected over Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies and Jason Heyward of the Chicago Cubs.
He was the only Dodgers or Angels player to receive the honor.
It is the first Gold Glove for the 24-year-old Bellinger. He was the Dodgers’ only finalist at any position.
He is the Dodgers’ first Gold Glove award winner since pitcher Zack Greinke in 2015.
Bellinger began the season as the Dodgers’ everyday right fielder, but began splitting most of his time in August between first base and center field. He led all qualified right fielders with 19 defensive runs saved and ranked second with 10 outfield assists in 9111⁄3 innings. He also logged 230 innings at first base and 1702⁄3 innings in center field.
Bellinger is expected to be among three finalists Monday for the NL mostvaluable-player award. The slugger batted .305 with a 1.305 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, 47 home runs, 115 runs batted in and 15 stolen bases.
Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons had his bid for a third consecutive honor derailed by injuries. Mike Trout, a nominee and among the candidates for AL MVP, has never won a Gold Glove.
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The Dodgers declined to exercise the $13-million team option on Jedd Gyorko’s contract. Instead, they will pay him a $1-million buyout, making the veteran infielder a free agent.