On Sunday, Alex Bregman was hit in the face by a foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle.
Bregman was taken to the hospital for further examination, but he shared some images on social media showing some significant swelling, bruising and bleeding on the left side of his face. With the postseason starting in a little over a week, Bregman's status for the Wild Card Series is in doubt.
Alex Bregman got hit in the face with a foul ball on the on-deck circle and left the game pic.twitter.com/FIUgoddH1M
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 20, 2026
According to MLB insider Jeff Passan, Bregman suffered multiple facial fractures and will not undergo surgery.
"Chicago Cubs star Alex Bregman suffered multiple facial fractures after being struck by a foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle Sunday, sources tell ESPN," wrote Passan on X on Monday. "Bregman will not undergo surgery and is hopeful to return in the postseason."
The wording there by Passan is noteworthy. He said "in" the postseason and not "at the start of the postseason." This casts some doubt on whether he will play when the Cubs start a best-of-three series next week.
Going into a Wild Card Series without Bregman could be a huge problem for the Cubs. He has a 1.006 OPS and 15 home runs since the start of August. He and Pete Crow-Armstrong have been an elite duo for the Cubs at the top of their lineup, but now the Cubs may have to find a way to win a series without their star third baseman.
Surely, Bregman will do whatever he can to get back on the field, but based on the images he shared on social media, it may be a while before he takes the field again. He will at least have to wait for the swelling and bruising around his eye to subside.