Alex Bregman is back in the Chicago Cubs’ lineup for their absolute postseason opener against the San Diego Padres, and if you’ve caught even a glimpse of his face lately, you know exactly why this is mind-blowing. The All-Star third baseman is locked in as designated hitter, batting second for Game 1 of the wild-card series in San Diego, just nine days after taking a foul ball to the face that left him with multiple facial fractures. Seriously, folks, we’re talking about a guy who went through something insane and is already back in the fight.
The Unbelievable Comeback Story
Let’s rewind this for a second because it’s straight out of a movie script. On September 20, Bregman took a foul ball directly to the face, courtesy of teammate Michael Busch. It wasn’t just a bump or a bruise; USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported Bregman sustained eight broken bones in his face from that impact. Eight! Most players would be out for months, but Bregman dodged the injured list entirely. He was back in the lineup just five days later, showing visible damage but absolutely no quit. His first game back was a tough 0-for-4, but in the very next game, the regular season finale, the dude went an insane 4-for-4 with two homers. That’s not just “back,” that’s “back with a vengeance.”
High Stakes, High Caution: The Postseason Role
Now, for Game 1 of the wild-card series, Bregman is obviously a key piece. He’s batting second, which tells you everything about how much the Cubs rely on his bat, but he’s strictly a designated hitter for now. He hasn’t played the field since his injury and won’t be out there on Tuesday, with Pedro Ramírez stepping in at third base. Manager Craig Counsell was crystal clear about the decision, saying he “played it safe,” and who can blame him? “I just think this is a man seven days off of facial fractures, and I think his at-bats are the most critical thing for our team is that he gets his at-bats this series,” Counsell explained. He knows there’s more risk playing the field, even if Bregman himself wants to be out there, and prioritizing those at-bats is the smart move to guarantee they get his best offense.
Counsell is spot on, too. Bregman’s bat is a huge asset for the Cubs. He’s had a successful first season in Chicago, rocking a .265/.355/.464 slash line and crushing 28 homers, putting him second on the team. While Pete Crow-Armstrong might be eyeing the NL MVP, Bregman’s offensive firepower is absolutely essential. The good news is his face has been healing steadily, with swelling notably going down and, incredibly, his vision appears to be unaffected despite the black eye. He’s still a threat, even if he looks like he just stepped out of a boxing ring.
So, what’s next? All eyes are on Game 1 against the Padres. Bregman might not be playing the hot corner tonight, but his bat is absolutely critical if the Cubs want to make some noise in this wild-card series. You know he’s looking to carry that Game 162 momentum right into October.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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