The Cubs got encouraging news on Alex Bregman after a frightening scene Sunday, with ESPN’s Jeff Passan reporting that the third baseman will not need surgery despite multiple facial fractures from a foul ball.
Bregman was hurt in the fourth inning of Chicago’s game against the Cincinnati Reds when Michael Busch’s foul tip came off a teammate’s bat and struck him in the face near the on-deck circle. He left the game right away, with blood visible on his face, and later went to a hospital for testing after the ball hit him near his cheekbone.
Passan reported that Bregman is "hopeful to return in the postseason."
The 32-year-old has been a major piece for the Cubs in the first season of the five-year, $175 million deal he signed in January. If the regular season is done for him, he finishes at .262/.352/.452 across 153 games, and his 5.4 bWAR reflects both the offense and the kind of defense he’s delivered at third base. That bWAR total will be his best in a single season since 2019.
Bregman also gave fans a look at the injury after the game, posting a selfie on Instagram that showed the damage from the foul ball. "Thanks for all the messages yall," Bregman captioned the post. "I'll be back."
Chicago improved to 87-69 with the win over Cincinnati and is tied with the surging San Diego Padres for the first wild-card spot in the National League. The Cubs will be hoping Bregman can return in time to help push them toward their first World Series title since 2016.
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