Alex Bregman in Cubs postseason lineup 9 days after sustaining 8 facial fractures from foul ball

Alex Bregman is in the Chicago Cubs’ lineup for their postseason opener against the San Diego Padres. That’s notable if you’ve seen his face recently.

style="text-align: left;">The All-Star third baseman is batting second and serving as designated hitter for Game 1 of the wild-card series in San Diego, only nine days after sustaining multiple facial fractures from a foul ball off the bat of teammate Michael Busch. Per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Bregman sustained eight broken bones in his face from the impact.

style="text-align: left;">Bregman avoided the injured list in the wake of the play and was back in the lineup five days later. He played only two games before the end of the regular season, going 0-for-4 in his first game back then 4-for-4 with two homers in the second.

style="text-align: left;">He did so while sporting visible damage on his face.

Alex Bregman leaves the yard again 🤯 #Game162pic.twitter.com/jopWlvVwDO

— MLB (@MLB) September 27, 2026Bregman still hasn’t played the field since his injury and won’t on Tuesday, either. The Cubs are instead starting Pedro Ramírez at the hot corner. Manager Craig Counsell said the decision was made out of caution, for obvious reasons:

“I played it safe, I'll be honest with you. I just think this is a man seven days off of facial fractures, and I think his at-bats are the most critical thing for our team is that he gets his at-bats this series. That's what's most important.

style="text-align: left;">“I feel like this is a better way to guarantee that he gets these at-bats. There's just more risk playing the field. Could it go fine? Yeah. Does he want to play the field? He does. I think this is just a safer way to go to make sure he gets all his at-bats.”

Alex Bregman took a foul ball to the face on Sept. 20.Orlando Ramirez via Getty ImagesCounsell is correct in Bregman’s bat being an important asset for the Cubs. Pete Crow-Armstrong might win NL MVP, but Bregman has enjoyed a successful first season in Chicago with a .265/.355/.464 slash line and is second on the team with 28 homers.

style="text-align: left;">Since the foul ball, Bregman’s face has been healing steadily, with the swelling most notably going downin the daysfollowing the impact. While the damage included a black eye, his vision appears to have been unaffected.