Bregman taken to hospital after foul ball strikes him in face

Alex Bregman was taken to hospital after being struck in the face by a foul ball during Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, with ESPN reporting that the Chicago Cubs third baseman suffered facial fractures.

The 32-year-old was standing near the on-deck circle, preparing for his own at-bat, when the incident occurred. Teammate Michael Busch checked his swing on a pitch thrown by the Reds' Luis Mey, and the deflected ball caught Bregman flush in the face.

Play stopped as Bregman made his way from the area and headed for the Cubs dugout, holding the left side of his face as he went. He was subsequently sent for medical evaluation, including X-rays and CT scans, according to the report.

The scans confirmed the facial fractures, though the full extent of the damage and the expected recovery timeline have not been detailed in the reporting so far.

Bregman's status for the remainder of the season, and specifically for the postseason, is now in question. The report notes hope that the veteran infielder can return in time to feature when the playoffs begin, though no firm date has been attached to that possibility.

Foul balls striking players who are not directly involved in a given at-bat are a recognised hazard of the sport, and the incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by those positioned near home plate even when not batting themselves.

The Cubs have not detailed further roster consequences of the injury, and further updates on Bregman's condition are expected as the club continues preparations for the closing stretch of the campaign.

This report is attributed to Guardian US Sport.