Cubs star Alex Bregman hospitalized after taking brutal foul ball to the face

Cubs’ Alex Bregman Leaves Sunday Game With Facial Injury After Foul‑Ball Impact

Chicago – Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman exited the 9‑1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday after a foul ball struck him in the face while he was on the on‑deck circle. The incident, which occurred in the top of the fourth inning at Great American Ball Park, left Bregman with a laceration, nosebleed and swelling and forced him to miss the remainder of the contest.

Bregman was hit squarely on the left side of his face by a ball that had bounced off the dirt near home plate. The ball was first cut off the ground by teammate Michael Busch, then ricocheted into Bregman’s head. He ran toward the visitors’ dugout in visible pain, clutching his face, and was taken to the clubhouse by medical personnel. Matt Shaw replaced him at third base.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed that the ball struck Bregman directly on his left cheekbone, causing a cut under the eye, a nosebleed and pronounced swelling. Bregman was transported to a Cincinnati hospital for CT scans and X‑rays to rule out orbital and cheek fractures. The medical staff cleared him to travel back with the team Sunday night.

The player posted an update on Instagram later that evening, showing a swollen left eye and a plugged nose, and wrote, “Thanks for the messages y’all. I’ll be back.” His status remains uncertain as the Cubs finish the regular season with one week remaining in the National League wild‑card race.

If Bregman is placed on the injured list, the Cubs would likely turn to Matt Shaw and Pedro Ramírez for third‑base duties. The incident underscores how quickly a routine play can turn dangerous; last summer, Rays reliever Hunter Bigge was carted off after being hit by a 105‑mph liner in the dugout, and Cleveland’s David Fry suffered facial fractures after bunting a fastball.

The Cubs have a day off Monday before hosting the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.