Third baseman Alex Bregman is not in the lineup as the Chicago Cubs are playing their home finale against the Miami Marlins.
Bregman is recovering from facial fractures he suffered when he was hit by a foul ball on Sunday, Sept. 20. Now four days later, he said he's feeling better and confident he'll be available to play in the postseason.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday for the first time since the incident, Bregman's left eye was full of blood and his cheek was still puffy.
"The left side of my face has been numb," Bregman said. "As soon as the swelling goes down, I'm sure I'll feel the breaks a little bit more."
Cubs manager Craig Counsell has said he hopes to get Bregman in a game this weekend in a series against the Boston Red Sox, his former
team.
However, he will need to be able to move around and run the bases before he's cleared to play.
Bregman is hitting .262 with 26 home runs and 89 RBI in his first season with the Cubs. He has been especially hot at the plate recently. Since July 27, he's hit 16 homers with a 1.052 OPS in 51 games.
What happened to Alex Bregman?
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman was hit in the face by a foul ball as he waited in the on-deck circle in the top of the fourth inning of Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Teammate Michael Busch checked his swing on a 1-2 pitch from Reds right-hander Luis Mey, and the ball ricocheted toward Bregman. He dropped to the ground immediately, clutching his bloody face, then got up and walked to the clubhouse under his own power.
Bregman was hospitalized and diagnosed with multiple facial fractures. However, he did not need surgery and was not placed on the injured list.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Bregman injury update: When will Cubs star return after face fractures?
