From Chicago Sun-Times · · 4m
Cubs Alex Bregman returns before season ends
Cubs' Alex Bregman avoids injured list after foul ball, could play before regular season ends.
In brief
Cubs' Alex Bregman avoids injured list after foul ball, could play before regular season ends. Cubs' Alex Bregman won't go on injured list after foul ball, could return before regular season ends. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Cubs get 'great news' on Alex Bregman
The Cubs seemed to have dodged a bullet with Bregman, who was hit in the face with a foul ball Sunday, saying he could be back in action before the regular season concludes later this week.
“The Cubs seemed to have dodged a bullet with Bregman, who was hit in the face with a foul ball Sunday, saying he could be back in action before the regular season concludes later this week.”
Bregman won't go on injured list
The Cubs aren’t going to put their star third baseman, who suffered multiple facial fractures and is dealing with significant swelling in his face, on the injured list.
“The Cubs aren’t going to put their star third baseman, who suffered multiple facial fractures and is dealing with significant swelling in his face, on the injured list.”
Bregman could return before season ends
It’s possible he could be back in action before the end of the regular season later this week.
“It’s possible he could be back in action before the end of the regular season later this week.”
Manager Craig Counsell comments
All things considered, we feel like he’s really lucky,” manager Craig Counsell said before Tuesday’s game. “He’s got multiple fractures in his left cheek area. None of them are to the point where the doctors deem surgery necessary or needed. And so he really is at a point where he can progress as tolerated.
“All things considered, we feel like he’s really lucky,” manager Craig Counsell said before Tuesday’s game. “He’s got multiple fractures in his left cheek area. None of them are to the point where the doctors deem surgery necessary or needed. And so he really is at a point where he can progress as tolerated.”
Team president Jed Hoyer comments
‘Clearly, when everything was going down on Sunday afternoon, we all thought the worst-case [scenario] might be a possibility,’ team president Jed Hoyer said, ‘and all the news since then has been really good. We have to take it one step at a time. We have to see how he’s doing when he’s moving around and active. But he’s in great spirits. … We just have to let him go through the steps a little bit here, but it’s been great news so far.’
“‘Clearly, when everything was going down on Sunday afternoon, we all thought the worst-case [scenario] might be a possibility,’ team president Jed Hoyer said, ‘and all the news since then has been really good. We have to take it one step at a time. We have to see how he’s doing when he’s moving around and active. But he’s in great spirits. … We just have to let him go through the steps a little bit here, but it’s been great news so far.’”
Bregman’s recovery steps
Bregman will continue to increase his workload from where it was Tuesday, when he did a light workout in the weight room and tracked pitches. Cubs brass pointed to the need for Bregman to start moving, taking ground balls and running, and do it all comfortably enough to get back in action.
“Bregman will continue to increase his workload from where it was Tuesday, when he did a light workout in the weight room and tracked pitches. Cubs brass pointed to the need for Bregman to start moving, taking ground balls and running, and do it all comfortably enough to get back in action.”
Bregman’s work ethic
He doesn’t look great, that’s for sure,” Hoyer joked. “No one loves to play more than him. I can say that with no equivocation. I’ve never had a player that loves baseball as much as he does. He just wants to play all the time.
“He doesn’t look great, that’s for sure,” Hoyer joked. “No one loves to play more than him. I can say that with no equivocation. I’ve never had a player that loves baseball as much as he does. He just wants to play all the time.”
Cubs’ playoff position
The Cubs started the regular season’s final week tied atop the NL wild-card standings with the Padres and a game ahead of the Phillies, so there’s still a lot to play for in their last few games.
“The Cubs started the regular season’s final week tied atop the NL wild-card standings with the Padres and a game ahead of the Phillies, so there’s still a lot to play for in their last few games.”
Bregman’s value to Cubs
After MVP favorite Pete Crow-Armstrong, Bregman has been the team’s next best hitter, with an OPS north of 1.000 and nearly 20 homers in his last 61 games, while also playing Gold Glove caliber defense at third base.
“After MVP favorite Pete Crow-Armstrong, Bregman has been the team’s next best hitter, with an OPS north of 1.000 and nearly 20 homers in his last 61 games, while also playing Gold Glove caliber defense at third base.”
Cubs’ lineup without Bregman
The Cubs have faith in the fill-in ability of reserve infielder Pedro Ramirez, who started at third Tuesday, and utility man Matt Shaw, but a lineup without Bregman is one missing a key element.
“The Cubs have faith in the fill-in ability of reserve infielder Pedro Ramirez, who started at third Tuesday, and utility man Matt Shaw, but a lineup without Bregman is one missing a key element.”
Counsell’s confidence
‘I think Alex is going to be fine, I really do,’ Counsell said. ‘The guy, he’s driving home from Cincinnati and he wants to play. He’s planning on playing. As long as symptoms don’t increase or happen as he increases activity, I think you’re going to see him play.’
“‘I think Alex is going to be fine, I really do,’ Counsell said. ‘The guy, he’s driving home from Cincinnati and he wants to play. He’s planning on playing. As long as symptoms don’t increase or happen as he increases activity, I think you’re going to see him play.’”
Cubs’ playoff hopes
The Cubs could land anywhere in those three wild-card spots, with four possible destinations for an opening-round, best-of-three series: Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego and Atlanta.
“The Cubs could land anywhere in those three wild-card spots, with four possible destinations for an opening-round, best-of-three series: Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego and Atlanta.”
Bregman’s return timeline
Bregman could return to the lineup before the regular season ends this week.
“Bregman could return to the lineup before the regular season ends this week.”
The big picture
Cubs' Alex Bregman won't go on injured list after foul ball, could return before regular season ends.
