Alex Bregman has avoided the worst-case scenario after a scary incident on Sunday.
The Chicago Cubs star third baseman suffered multiple facial fractures after being struck by a foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle, but will not undergo surgery and is hopeful to return in the post-season, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Monday.
In the fourth inning, left-handed batting Michael Busch checked his swing and fouled off a pitch from Reds right-hander Luis Mey that struck Bregman, who immediately jogged toward the Cubs' dugout with his hand covering the left side of his face.
Bregman was escorted by a trainer down the dugout steps and into the clubhouse, with blood visible on his face. Matt Shaw replaced Bregman and drew a walk. He remained in the game to play second base, with Pedro Ramirez shifting to third.
“It just happens so fast,” Busch said. “(Mey)'s throwing the ball hard and it comes off hard. Any time it enters the head area, it's always a scary thing. We try to focus on the game, but it's tough. Hopefully he's OK, first and foremost.”
Bregman has contributed 26 home runs to a Cubs offence that leads MLB with 217 round-trippers. The 32-year-old also has .262/.352/.452 slash line and 89 RBIs.
The Cubs can clinch a playoff spot with either a win or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss on Tuesday.
—With files from The Associated Press
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