Alex Bregman is back in the Chicago Cubs lineup surprisingly quickly.
The three-time All-Star will serve as designated hitter and bat third in the first game of a doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox on Friday, only five days after incurring multiple facial fractures.
Bregman, 32, was standing in the on-deck circle on Sunday in the fourth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds when a Michael Busch foul ball hit him in the face. He immediately left the game and it was feared he would require surgery and a trip to the injured list only days before the playoffs. He needed neither.
“The whole left side of my face has been a little bit numb,” Bregman said earlier this week.
The Albuquerque, NM now returns, having missed only three games. In his first year with the team, the 2019 American League Most Valuable Player runner-up is batting .262 with 157 hits, 26 home runs, 89 runs batted in and an OPS of .804 in 153 games this season. Having also spent time with the Houston Astros and Red Sox, Bregman is in his 11th big league campaign.
The Cubs and Red Sox are playing a doubleheader due to inclement weather expected in the Boston area on Sunday. As such, the game that was set to wrap up both teams’ regular season was moved to Friday with Saturday now set to be the season finale.
Both the Cubs and Red Sox have clinched wild-card spots in their respective leagues and will begin their playoff campaigns on Tuesday.
