Bellinger (finger) is able to hit without much discomfort but is still having some trouble gripping a baseball, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.
Bellinger is nearly two weeks removed from suffering a fractured left middle finger and the Cubs are encouraged with how he's progressed. It sounds like he could be ready to hit in a game before playing defense, but the team likely wants him to be able to do both before it clears him to return. Adding some intrigue to the timeline for Bellinger's return -- which remains up in the air -- is that he could be traded before the July 30 deadline.