Marlon Byrd has been cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment five weeks after suffering facial fractures from a beaning and the Cubs center fielder showed Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune the special protective helmet he’ll wear.
As for how long he’ll wear it, Byrd told Sullivan that he’s not sure yet:
I might try one game without it, but it’s something I can wear all year long. Maybe it’ll take that thought process out of my mind, when I’m on the infield, trying to steal a base or breaking up a double play.
Byrd will play his first rehab game at Triple-A tonight and barring a setback is slated to come off the disabled list on July 4.
