Alex Bregman is built different, seriously. The Chicago Cubs’ third baseman suffered multiple facial fractures on the left side after getting absolutely hammered by a foul ball in the on-deck circle last Sunday. You’d think that’s a season-ender, right? Wrong. Manager Craig Counsell just dropped a bombshell, telling reporters Bregman will *not* go on the injured list and could be back on the field as soon as this coming weekend in Boston.
This Guy Is Not Human, Seriously
The incident was a total fluke, but brutal. Michael Busch ripped a check swing foul ball directly into Bregman’s face in the fourth inning. He was just too close to home plate, zero time to react. The images on social media, which Bregman himself shared, were gnarly, showing the aftermath of a direct hit. Despite suffering multiple facial fractures, the word from the Cubs camp is that surgery is off the table, which is a massive relief.
The biggest hurdle for Bregman, aside from just dealing with the pain, is whether the swelling around his left eye goes down fast enough. If his vision is messed up, there’s no way he can play, period. But Counsell’s comments yesterday, Tuesday, strongly suggest that swelling reduction has been making some serious headway. This dude is a warrior; “He’s planning on playing,” Counsell confirmed via ESPN. That’s the kind of grit you just don’t see every day, especially with only six days left in the regular season.
Postseason Stakes Just Went Through The Roof
This isn’t just about Bregman’s toughness; it’s huge for the Cubs. They are five games clear of a wild-card spot and could actually clinch a postseason berth as early as Tuesday if they beat the Marlins or the Diamondbacks lose. They’re out of the NL Central race, so it’s all about that Wild Card Series now. As things stand, they’re looking at a matchup with the Padres, though that seeding is still up for grabs.
Not putting Bregman on the IL is a massive show of faith from the front office, proving they believe he’ll be ready, at minimum, for that Wild Card Series. And they *need* him. Bregman, at 32, has been absolutely crushing it this year, hitting .262/.352/.452 with 26 bombs. Think about that: 19 of those dingers have come in his last 61 games alone. He’s been Chicago’s second-best player, right behind National League MVP frontrunner Pete Crow-Armstrong. If he can’t go, the downgrade is real, with Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramírez likely stepping in. The Cubs would have to lean even harder on Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson, and Nico Hoerner. This is the first year of his monster five-year, $175 million deal, and he’s proving his worth, even when sidelined.
What’s Next: Eyes on Boston
So, keep your eyes peeled for news out of Boston this weekend. Will Bregman actually suit up just days after suffering multiple facial fractures? If he does, it’s going to be one of the most incredible comebacks we’ve seen all season, adding another layer of drama to the Cubs’ final push for a postseason run. This is baseball at its most intense, and Bregman is showing us what true commitment looks like.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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