Cubs’ Alex Bregman Suffers Facial Fractures After Getting Face Hit By A Foul Ball

Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman was taken to the hospital after being struck by a foul ball while standing in front of the on-deck circle during their game against the Cincinnati Reds.

“He got hit in the left cheekbone, essentially under the eye,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “I don’t know anything more than that right now. He was bleeding from his nose a little. There’s some swelling. It’s a terrible, terrible accident. We hope he’s OK.” 

Bregman would later go to social media, where he posted an Instagram story that showed his eye swollen shut and bruised, along with blood on his cheek. The caption on the story was: “Thanks for all the messages, y’all. I’ll be back.”

The team later announced that he suffered from facial fractures.

Bregman has been struggling for most of the season so far.

In the fourth inning, Cubs first baseman Michael Busch stepped up to the plate, checked his swing and fouled off a pitch from Reds pitcher Luis Mey. The ball struck Bregman, who immediately jogged towards the Cubs’ dugout, covering the left side of his face.

An athletic trainer escorted Bregman down the dugout steps and into the clubhouse, with blood visible on his face. Matt Shaw replaced Bregman and drew a walk. He stayed in the game at second base, with Pedro Ramirez shifting to third.

“It just happens so fast,” Busch said. “Mey’s throwing the ball hard, and it comes off hard. Any time it enters the head area, it’s always scary. We try to focus on the game, but it’s tough. Hopefully he’s OK, first and foremost.”

Before leaving the game, Bregman went 1-for1- with a walk, an RBI and a run scored. This season he is batting .262 with 26 home runs and 89 RBIs after signing a $175 million, five-year free-agent deal in January.

“I mean, at the end of the day, you just hope your friend is OK; that’s the news that I’m hoping for. But scary stuff. Such a rarity.” Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong said.

The Cubs could have clinched a playoff berth that day with a Diamondbacks loss to the Yankees, but Arizona would go on to win 8-4.

Counsell said he hasn’t thought about how a potential long-term absence for Bregman might impact his postseason roster plans.

“You know, we’ve got to get good results from the hospital. He got hit in the face, so you’re worried just about his general well-being first. I want to get a good report first.” Counsell said.