Alex Bregman’s face is bruised, his eye swollen shut, and his cheek bloody after taking a brutal foul ball to the face Sunday, leaving the Chicago Cubs wondering about their postseason hopes with a Magic Number of just one to clinch a National League wild-card spot. Hours after the terrifying incident, Bregman posted a selfie to Instagram, showing the extent of the damage but also a defiant message: “Thanks for all the messages y’all. I’ll be back.”
The Terrifying Incident That Rocked the Dugout
This wasn’t just a bump or a bruise, folks. The former Astros star was standing in the on-deck circle during the fourth inning of the Cubs’ win against the Cincinnati Reds when lefty Michael Busch fouled a ball back on a check swing. That ball smashed right off Bregman’s face, specifically his left cheekbone, under the eye. He immediately jogged toward the dugout, then doubled over, clutching his face. A trainer quickly came out, towel in hand, escorting him down the dugout steps and into the clubhouse.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell didn’t mince words after the game, confirming Bregman had been rushed to the hospital. “He got hit in the left cheekbone essentially, under the eye,” Counsell said. “I don’t know anything more than that right now. He had a cut under his eye, was bleeding from his nose a little bit, pretty swollen. It’s just a terrible accident and hoping and praying that he’s OK.” It’s gut-wrenching to hear, and you know the whole team, and the entire league, is thinking about him right now.
Playoff Push Hitting a Wall?
This injury comes at the absolute worst time for Chicago. The Cubs are sitting at 87-69, needing just one more win or a Padres loss to lock up a wild-card berth. But they’re not just fighting to get in; they are battling the Padres, also 87-69, and the Phillies, at 86-70, for wild-card seeding. With the playoffs kicking off in little over a week, losing a player like Bregman, especially one who’s been red hot, is a massive blow.
Bregman had a slow start in his first season with the Cubs after signing a five-year, $175 million deal in the offseason. He came over after opting out of a three-year, $120 million contract with Boston, which followed his nine seasons and two World Series rings with Houston. But he has absolutely caught fire down the stretch. Before getting hit, he was 1-for-1 with a walk and an RBI against the Reds. For the season, he is hitting .262 with an .804 OPS, 26 home runs, and 89 RBIs. Since August 1, he’s been even better: .291 with a .998 OPS and 15 home runs. That kind of production is irreplaceable heading into October.
Counsell was clear about the immediate future. “We’ve got to get good results at the hospital,” he stated. “I think that’s what’s first. He got hit in the face, so you’re worried just about general well-being first. If we get a good report, then we’ll kind of move to the next step, but I want to get a good report first.” Everyone is holding their breath waiting for an update. The Cubs have one game left to clinch, and the fight for wild-card seeding is fierce. They’re going to need to rally hard, not just for the win, but for Bregman.
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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