Bregman's facial injury threatens Cubs' Wild Card push
Bregman hospitalized with facial injury during tight Wild Card race.
Event / Sports
MLB 2026 Season
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman was struck in the face by a foul ball during Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, sustaining facial lacerations, swelling, and a nosebleed. He was hospitalized for imaging tests to check for fractures during a critical point in the Cubs' National League Wild Card race.
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2026-09-21 to 2026-11-03 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 21 Sept, 07:56 UTC
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What happened
Cubs defeat Reds 9-1 in game interrupted by player injury
The Chicago Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-1 in Sunday's game at Great American Ball Park. The game was interrupted when Bregman was injured in the fourth inning. Matt Shaw replaced Bregman at third base after the injury.
Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman struck in face by foul ball during game
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman was struck in the face by a foul ball during the fourth inning of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The ball, fouled by teammate Michael Busch, hit Bregman squarely on the left side of his face while he was standing in the on-deck circle. The impact caused a laceration under his eye, nosebleed, and facial swelling.
Bregman's injury comes during tight National League Wild Card race
The injury to Bregman occurred with one week remaining in the regular season as the Cubs were in a tight National League Wild Card race. A potential extended absence for Bregman could impact the team's postseason plans, requiring the Cubs to rely on Shaw and Pedro Ramirez at third base.
Bregman hospitalized for imaging tests after facial injury
After being struck by the foul ball, Alex Bregman was transported to a local Cincinnati hospital for CT scans and X-rays to check for orbital and cheek fractures. Medical staff reportedly cleared him to travel back to Chicago with the team Sunday night, though test results were still pending.
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