Pedro

Ramirez

Bregman is ready for the start of the postseason after returning to Chicago’s lineup less than one week after suffering multiple facial fractures when he was hit by a foul ball in the on-deck circle. It’ll be rookie Pedro Ramírez filling in at the hot corner with Bregman limited to DH as he continues to recover. Here’s the full lineup for Tuesday’s series opener in San Diego: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Bregman (DH), Michael Busch (1B), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Ian Happ (LF), Nico Hoerner (2B), Ramírez (3B), Carson Kelly (C) and Dansby Swanson (SS).

All signs point to Bregman, who went through a light workout prior to Tuesday’s game against the Marlins, avoiding a trip to the injured list. It’s an extremely positive update after he suffered multiple facial fractures when he was struck by a foul ball in the on-deck circle over the weekend. The 32-year-old third baseman is at least a couple days away from getting back into Chicago’s lineup, but it’s possible he’s back before the postseason gets underway next week. It’ll be rookie Pedro Ramírez taking over at the hot corner in his absence on Tuesday night.

It doesn’t sound like Bregman is going on the injured list for the final week of the regular season. However, he’s highly unlikely to be available in any capacity after being diagnosed with multiple facial fractures. The 32-year-old third baseman was injured in a freak accident where he was struck by a foul ball in the on-deck circle over the weekend. He’s aiming to make it back for the postseason. It’ll be rookie Pedro Ramírez taking over at the hot corner in his absence on Tuesday night.

It’s a massive relief that Bregman didn’t suffer any additional serious injuries when he was hurt in a freak accident while standing in the on-deck circle during Sunday’s game against the Reds. The 32-year-old third baseman was one of the hottest hitters in the game during the second half, hitting .296 (68-for-230) with 17 home runs and 48 RBI in 59 games following the All-Star break. It’s an unfortunate development for fantasy managers heading into the home stretch in rotisserie leagues, and head-to-head formats still running, but it sounds like there’s optimism that Bregman will be able to return at some point during Chicago’s upcoming postseason run. It’ll likely be a combination of Pedro Ramírez and Matt Shaw handling the hot corner in his absence.

The Cubs are just easing Swanson back into action and giving him a day to recover after starting the first two games following his return from the injured list on Friday. He should be available off the bench if needed on Sunday. Nico Hoerner will slide over and cover shortstop while Pedro Ramirez starts at second base and will bat eighth against Reds’ right-hander Rhett Lowder.

It sounds like there’s a strong possibility Swanson will return for Friday’s series opener against the Reds. The 32-year-old veteran shortstop has been out with an oblique strain since mid-August. His impending return likely pushes rookie Pedro Ramírez back into a part-time role with Nico Hoerner shifting back to second base.

Michael Busch and Ramírez homered off Paul Skenes in the first two innings. Those were the Cubs’ only runs until the eighth, when Gregory Soto lost the strike zone and forced in tying run with a bases-loaded walk and then the go-ahead run with a HBP. Ramírez opened that inning with a double and scored the first run. He’s batting .266/.323/.433 through 224 plate appearances. However, he could begin losing playing time in the second half of next week if Dansby Swanson is activated.

He’ll go on a short rehab assignment to Triple-A Iowa and then return to close out the series and be ready for the playoffs. The Cubs have mostly played Pedro Ramírez while Swanson has been sidelined, but $100 million shortstops will be lineup fixtures and Ramírez will likely see his role reduced after hitting .192/.259/.342 with three homers and zero stolen bases over his last 20 games.

The 22-year-old infielder missed the previous three games due to back spasms. He’s back in there at second base and batting seventh against Brewers’ righty Logan Henderson on Thursday evening in Milwaukee.

Matt Shaw gets another opportunity at second base with Ramírez on the bench for a third straight contest due to back spasms. The 22-year-old rookie figures to be ready to return at some point this week, otherwise the Cubs are going to have to consider putting him on the injured list.