Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman sustained multiple fractures on the left side of his face after being hit by a foul ball while waiting in the on-deck circle during Sunday’s game, according to ESPN. Fortunately, he will not require surgery and remains hopeful about returning in time for the postseason.
“It’s just an unfortunate accident. I’m hoping and praying he is all right,” manager Craig Counsell stated after the game (via MLB.com). “First, we need a good update from the hospital. Since he got hit in the face, the top priority is his overall health. Once we get positive news, we’ll proceed from there. I want to hear good news.”
The unexpected injury happened in the fourth inning when Michael Busch’s foul ball from a check swing struck Bregman, who was too close to home plate to avoid it. Bregman posted a status update on social media Monday morning:
The key concern, aside from tolerating the pain, is whether the swelling will reduce quickly enough to allow Bregman to see clearly out of his left eye. If his vision is compromised, he won’t be able to play, leaving no alternatives.
With just seven regular-season games remaining, if the Cubs put Bregman on the 10-day injured list, he would miss the Wild Card Series next week but could return for the NL Division Series if the Cubs advance. Chicago leads a wild-card spot by five games and can clinch a playoff berth as soon as Tuesday with a win against the Marlins or a Diamondbacks loss. They have already been eliminated from contention in the NL Central.
Heading into Monday’s games, the Cubs are projected to face the Padres, though the exact NL wild-card seeding remains undecided.
Should Bregman be sidelined for the Wild Card Series, players like Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramírez would probably step in, although this would represent a downgrade. The team would then depend more on top performers like National League MVP candidate Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson, and Nico Hoerner.
Bregman, 32, is currently batting .262/.352/.452 with 26 home runs this season, including 19 homers over his last 61 games. He has been Chicago’s second-best player behind Crow-Armstrong, and this year marks the first season of his five-year, $175 million contract with the Cubs.
Fan Take: This injury is a tough blow for both Bregman and Cubs fans, as his presence is a key factor in Chicago’s postseason hopes. It highlights how quickly the unpredictable nature of baseball can impact a team’s fortunes, reminding fans why depth and resilience are crucial in the sport.
Source: www.cbssports.com
