Bregman Returns
Alex Bregman returns to Cubs lineup five days after suffering facial fractures.
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Key Points
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The foul ball came off teammate Michael Busch’s check swing in Cincinnati and struck Bregman below his left eye; one account says it bounced once off the turf before hitting him.
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Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said the team initially feared the worst, but Bregman’s doctor visits had been positive and the club was taking his recovery one step at a time.
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As he recovered, Bregman said he expected to start shagging ground balls and planned to try different helmet styles to protect his injured eye.
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Bregman’s second-half surge included 17 of his 26 home runs after the All-Star break; his 167 wRC+ in that span was the second-best in MLB, according to Newsweek.
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman returned to the lineup Friday as the designated hitter against the Boston Red Sox, just five days after a foul ball fractured multiple bones in his face. The injury occurred Sunday when a checked swing by teammate Michael Busch ricocheted and struck Bregman below his left eye during a game in Cincinnati. ABC7 Chicago reported that Bregman said the left side of his face remained numb, but he was cleared to play after positive evaluations from team doctors.
Bregman's quick return came one day after the Cubs clinched a playoff berth, keeping their star hitter available for the postseason. Manager Craig Counsell praised Bregman's toughness, saying "It's a testament to his toughness, No. 1, and just his desire to play baseball." This season, Bregman has hit 26 home runs and driven in 89 runs, with 17 of those homers coming after the All-Star break.
Foul Ball Strikes Bregman During Cincinnati Game
The injury happened Sunday during the fourth inning of Chicago's 9-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Michael Busch checked his swing on a pitch, and the foul ball bounced off the turf before hitting Bregman just below his left eye. Bregman bled from the impact and was immediately taken to a local hospital by team trainers.
Doctors discovered multiple facial fractures but determined that surgery was not needed. Newsday reported that team president Jed Hoyer said the initial fear was far worse. "We were hoping for the best, and fortunately the doctor's visits have been positive," Hoyer explained, emphasizing the team was taking Bregman's recovery one step at a time.
Rapid Recovery Despite Lingering Numbness
Bregman began light workouts by Wednesday, just three days after the injury. He completed intensive drills Thursday and was cleared by team medical staff the same day the Cubs clinched their playoff spot. The fractured bones were stable enough that doctors said playing presented minimal risk of further damage, provided he avoided direct contact to the left side of his face.
Despite the quick turnaround, Bregman acknowledged ongoing physical effects. "The whole left side of my face has been a little bit numb," he said during recovery. Manager Craig Counsell noted that swelling remained but said Bregman was progressing well. Bregman planned to try different helmet styles with extra protective flaps to shield his injured eye during play.
Second-Half Excellence Provides Postseason Boost
Bregman's return matters because he was having one of his best stretches of the 2026 season. According to Newsweek, his weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of 167 in the second half ranked second-best in all of Major League Baseball during that span. He hit 17 of his 26 home runs after the All-Star break, showing hot form heading into October.
Keeping Bregman off the injured list gave the Cubs maximum roster flexibility for the Wild Card Series starting Tuesday. The team avoided triggering a mandatory 10-day recovery period and maintained all its middle-of-the-order depth. Teammates like outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong expressed relief that their friend was healthy enough to return, calling the initial injury "scary stuff."
Questions Emerge About On-Deck Circle Safety
Bregman was standing several feet from the painted on-deck circle, closer to home plate, when struck—a common practice that lets hitters track pitch movement and release points. Some observers questioned whether MLB should enforce stricter positioning rules to prevent such freak accidents. However, Cubs teammates and manager Counsell framed the event as an unavoidable accident rather than a safety violation.
Facial fractures from foul balls off checked swings represent rare occurrences in baseball. While MLB expanded protective netting along foul lines in recent years to shield fans, on-deck hitters remain dependent on quick reflexes and modern helmet designs. Bregman's protective C-flap helmet will offer extra shielding as he ramps back to full defensive work over the coming weeks.
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