Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman is navigating a sudden and serious injury after a foul ball struck him in the face while he stood in the on-deck circle during Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Chicago rolled to a 9-1 win at Great American Ball Park, but the result was overshadowed by the sight of their everyday third baseman leaving the field after the incident.

Before the Cubs open a series against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field, the club received a clearer picture of Bregman’s status. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the 32-year-old suffered multiple facial fractures.

Surgery will not be necessary, and Bregman is hopeful he can return in time for the postseason.

That timeline would give the Cubs a chance to have their most productive infielder available if they reach October.

The injury arrives in Bregman’s first season on the North Side. He signed a five-year, $175 million contract last winter after opting out of his deal with the Boston Red Sox.

In 153 games this year, he has hit .262 with a .352 on-base percentage and .452 slugging percentage, producing a 124 wRC+, 26 home runs, 89 RBI, and 5.2 fWAR.

Those numbers made him a central piece of Chicago’s lineup and a steady presence at third base.

Bregman’s career began when the Houston Astros drafted him second overall in 2015 out of Louisiana State University. He reached the majors the following year and quickly became a cornerstone of Houston’s 2017 World Series championship club.

Across nine seasons with the Astros, he posted 39.5 bWAR, a .272/.366/.483 slash line, 191 home runs, and 663 RBI. After the 2024 season he signed a three-year, $120 million contract with Boston that included an opt-out after 2025.

In his lone year with the Red Sox, he slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 homers and 62 RBI in 114 games before choosing free agency again and landing in Chicago.

The Cubs now face the Marlins without their regular third baseman while they wait to see how quickly Bregman can recover. His absence tests the depth of a roster that has relied on his bat and glove throughout a long season.

If the fractures heal as hoped and he is able to return for the playoffs, Chicago would regain a proven postseason performer at a critical position.

For now, the focus remains on his recovery and the team’s ability to navigate the final stretch of the regular season without him.