Cubs' Cody Bellinger: Could return on road trip

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Bellinger (finger) could be activated from the 10-day injured list during the team's upcoming six-game road trip that begins Friday in Kansas City, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Bellinger will do some hitting and throwing on the field Wednesday, and depending on how he checks out following those activities, he might not require a rehab assignment before returning. He's been shelved since mid-July with a fractured left middle finger. Bellinger could wind up being a trade chip next week if the Cubs view themselves as sellers, and he looks he'll have a good shot to play in some games prior to Tuesday's deadline.