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An unusual and unsettling incident unfolded on Sunday when Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman was hit in the face by a foul ball while waiting in the on-deck circle. The accident occurred as teammate Michael Busch swung late at a pitch, sending the ball directly into Bregman's face. The impact left Bregman bloodied and swollen, forcing him to exit the game immediately.
Bregman was struck just below his right eye, and the swelling was severe enough that his eye was swollen shut. Cubs manager Craig Counsell described the injury to ESPN, saying, "He got hit in the cheekbone essentially, under the eye. I don't know anything more than that right now. He was bleeding from his nose a little. There's some swelling. It's a terrible, terrible accident. We hope he's OK."
Later on Sunday, Bregman offered a reassuring update via his Instagram story, posting a selfie with the caption, "Thanks for the messages y'all, I'll be back." His teammates were visibly shaken by the incident. Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong told MLB.com, "At the end of the day, you hope your friend is OK. That's the news that I'm hoping for."
The injury occurred during Chicago's 9-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, a win that kept the Cubs from clinching a playoff spot on Sunday. They would have secured a berth if the Arizona Diamondbacks had lost, but that scenario did not materialize. Now, the Cubs need just one more win to guarantee their place in the postseason.
The timing of Bregman's injury, while unfortunate, may actually be somewhat favorable for Chicago. Had the injury occurred earlier in the month or during the playoffs, it could have been more detrimental. The Cubs are expected to be able to clinch a playoff spot even without him, and in the meantime, Bregman can provide leadership and inspiration from the sidelines.
Key Analysis
Once the Cubs officially clinch, they will have additional motivation: securing home-field advantage for the Wild Card Series. Chicago holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over both the San Diego Padres (5-1) and the Philadelphia Phillies (6-1), the two teams immediately behind them in the NL Wild Card standings. This gives them an edge in earning home-field advantage for the series, which begins on September 29, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
That September 29 date is particularly significant for Bregman, as it marks the potential start of Chicago's postseason run. Cubs fans will be eagerly monitoring his recovery, hoping he can return to the field by then. While the team still needs one more win to secure their spot, once that is achieved, the focus will shift to getting healthy for the first playoff game.
Originally reported by yahoo.