Chicago Cubs still deciding on Alex Bregman’s Wild Card place

Back on September 20, when Alex Bregman took a fluke foul ball to the face while in the on-deck circle, it seemed almost perfectly normal for the kind of injury-filled, misfortune-heavy season the Chicago Cubs were having.

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The three-time All-Star third baseman, red-hot in the closing month of his first of five years as a Cub, suffered multiple facial fractures and an ugly black eye in the accident. At one point, there was real concern regarding whether the veteran would be able to make it back for the postseason.

Bregman, however, acted exactly like Bregman. He was back after five-days, looking like he’d been in an ugly bar fight, but otherwise ready to go. In Sunday’s last game of the season against the Boston Red Sox, he made up for his lost time with a 4-for-4 day which included two home runs and all four of the Cubs’ RBIs.

Back at third base for the playoffs?

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The question, though, is whether he can resume his glove duties at third base. In his two games back from the injury, he’s been the team’s designated hitter.

“I think we have to make a decision there, for sure,” manager Craig Counsell told reporters. “We’ll just kind of see how he feels every day. I think he’s improving every day, but he’s got multiple face fractures and it’s been six days. We’ll just see how he feels. One thing I’m thinking about is the risk of more exposure. I think his at-bats are the most important thing that we can get. Is that exposure worth it? Does it make us that much better at the risk of the at-bats? That’s what we have to consider. Then just the player’s health and well-being, too.”

Bregman is a former Gold Glove winner and has played an almost impeccable third base for Chicago this season. But the reality is, as Counsell touched upon, having him at the hot corner fielding balls, is a big risk. Right now, the Cubs need his bat more than his glove and any sort of misplay or errant groundball could knock him out of the lineup for the rest of the postseason.

Bregman wants the smoke

The 11-year major-leaguer, of course, wants to get back on the field. He says that he’s been taking groundballs for a few days already and feels 100% up to the task. But, ultimately, he’ll defer to the judgment of Counsell and the coaching staff.

“I’ll be available for whatever he needs,” Bregman said on Sunday. “If he wants me to play wherever, I’m available. I want to play third, but I’ll do whatever it takes.”

If Bregman remains in the DH spot, sophomore Matt Shaw and rookie Pedro Ramirez—both very capable defenders—will play third base.

The Cubs begin their three-game/three-road game Wild Card series this Tuesday against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. They won’t see a home game until/unless they get past the surging Wild Card top seed.

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