Alex Bregman left the Cubs’ Sunday game against the Reds after a foul ball struck him in the face while he waited in the on-deck circle at Great American Ball Park.
The Chicago third baseman was injured in the top of the fourth inning when Michael Busch checked his swing on a 1-2 offering from Cincinnati right-hander Luis Mey. The ball shot foul, took a bounce and caught Bregman in the face.
Bregman headed straight from the on-deck area to the dugout and then down to the clubhouse. Blood was visible on his face as he left the field.
Matt Shaw entered as the pinch-hitter for Bregman and worked a walk. Shaw stayed in the lineup at second base, while Pedro Ramirez moved across the infield to take over at third.
Chicago held a five-run lead
The Cubs were ahead 5-0 when Bregman was removed. The club also entered the afternoon with a chance to lock down a postseason spot: Chicago could clinch with a win over Cincinnati and a Diamondbacks loss to the Yankees.
