Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman was hospitalized after being struck by a foul ball during Sunday's game in Cincinnati. The injury occurred in the fourth inning when Michael Busch hit a check swing foul ball toward Bregman in the on-deck circle. Bregman did not have enough time to react given how close he was to home plate.
He sustained multiple fractures on the left side of his face, according to reports. Cubs manager Craig Counsell described the incident as a terrible accident, according to ESPN. Bregman was bleeding from his nose and had significant swelling under his left eye.
He was taken to a hospital in the Cincinnati area for X-rays and a CT scan and later posted on Instagram that he had returned to Chicago. Bregman suffered multiple facial fractures but will not need surgery, according to ESPN. He is hopeful that he can return during the postseason.
Bregman posted a photo Monday that showed his left eye still swollen shut. He wrote that he was back in Chicago after undergoing tests in Cincinnati.
With six games left in the regular season, the Cubs are in a strong position for a playoff spot. The team could clinch a postseason berth as early as Tuesday with a win over the Marlins or a loss by the Diamondbacks.
Bregman's injury will keep him out for the remainder of the regular season. His exact postseason return date remains unclear. MLB postseason rosters are set separately for each round, giving the Cubs the ability to add Bregman for a later series if he is medically cleared.
If he misses the Wild Card Series, Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramírez would likely take over at third base. That would be a significant drop in production compared to Bregman’s contributions this season. Bregman has been one of the Cubs’ top performers, hitting .262 with 26 home runs and 89 RBIs. He also has a .352 on-base percentage and a .452 slugging percentage.
This is the first year of his five-year, $175 million contract with the Cubs. The team has not yet announced a specific timetable for his return. Doctors will continue to monitor the fractures and swelling around his left eye.
The Cubs will need to rely more heavily on players like Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson, and Nico Hoerner if Bregman is out. Chicago enters the final six games with an 87-69 record and is closing in on a National League playoff berth.
Fans and analysts are watching closely to see how the team adjusts in the final stretch of the season.