CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman was not in the lineup for the team's home finale against the Miami Marlins as he recovers from multiple facial fractures suffered when he was hit by a foul ball on Sunday, Sept. 20, telling reporters Wednesday he is feeling better and confident he will be available for the postseason.
Bregman was hit in the face while waiting in the on-deck circle in the top of the fourth inning of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Teammate Michael Busch checked his swing on a 1-2 pitch from Reds right-hander Luis Mey and the ball ricocheted toward Bregman, who dropped to the ground immediately clutching his bloody face before getting up and walking to the clubhouse under his own power. Speaking to the media Wednesday for the first time since the incident, his left eye was full of blood and his cheek was still puffy. "The left side of my face has been numb," Bregman said. "As soon as the swelling goes down, I'm sure I'll feel the breaks a little bit more."
Bregman was hospitalized and diagnosed with multiple facial fractures, but he did not need surgery and was not placed on the injured list. Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said he hopes to get Bregman in a game this weekend in a series against the Boston Red Sox, his former team, though Bregman will need to be able to move around and run the bases before he is cleared to play.
Bregman is hitting .262 with 26 home runs and 89 RBI in his first season with the Cubs. He has been especially hot at the plate since July 27, hitting 16 homers with a 1.052 OPS in 51 games.