Cubs' Alex Bregman Hospitalized After Foul Ball to Face
Third baseman Alex Bregman required medical attention and was taken to a hospital after being hit by a foul ball while in the on-deck circle.
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman was hospitalized Sunday after sustaining an injury to his face from a foul ball. The incident occurred in the top of the fourth inning during the Cubs' 9-1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
While waiting to bat, Bregman was struck by a foul ball chopped by teammate Michael Busch into the dirt near home plate. The ball deflected and hit Bregman on the left side of his face. He was visibly in pain and left the field holding his face, escorted by medical staff to the dugout.
Matt Shaw entered the game to replace Bregman at third base. Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed the ball impacted Bregman's left cheekbone, resulting in a laceration under his eye and a nosebleed.
Bregman was transported to a local Cincinnati hospital for evaluation, including CT scans and X-rays, to assess for potential orbital and cheek fractures. Later Sunday, Bregman posted an update on Instagram showing his left eye swollen shut and his nose packed, stating, "Thanks for the messages y'all. I'll be back."
Medical staff reportedly cleared Bregman to travel back to Chicago with the team Sunday night. His absence could impact the Cubs' position in the National League Wild Card race with one week remaining in the regular season. Should Bregman be placed on the injured list, Shaw and Pedro Ramirez would likely see increased playing time at third base.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers in baseball. In recent years, other players have also experienced severe injuries from foul balls or batted balls, including Rays reliever Hunter Bigge and Cleveland's David Fry.