Marlon Byrd Injury: Cubs Outfielder Expects To Miss Another Six Weeks

On May 21, Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd was hit in the face by an Alfredo Aceves pitch.

Byrd was removed from the game, sent to the hospital, and placed on the disabled list with multiple fractures. He was discharged from the hospital before long, but his eye was swollen shut, and for some time we didn't have any idea how long he'd be out of action.

Now we have an idea. Patrick Mooney:

Marlon Byrd's back at Wrigley, says he won't need any surgery, expects to be out for around six weeks.

Byrd's facial swelling - while still considerable - is greatly reduced, and it's a stroke of good luck that he won't have to go under the knife. Even though he'll likely end up missing two months because of the injury, it could've been a lot worse.

While Byrd is out, center field in Chicago will be held down by some combination of Reed Johnson (currently on the DL), Tyler Colvin, Tony Campana, and whoever else might fall out of a tree.

Marlon Byrd Placed On DL After Beaning

Saturday night, Chicago Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd was struck on the left cheek by an Alfredo Aceves fastball and spent the night in hospital. Initially he didn't look too bad, but by Sunday morning Byrd's left eye was swollen shut, and apparently he'll be out of the lineup for a while. From Paul Sullivan (via Chicago Tribune):

Marlon Byrd is headed to the 15-day disabled list, and will be replaced by reliever Justin Berg.

--snip--

The Cubs said Byrd has multiple facial fractures and will fly home with the team and see specialists this week in Chicago.

With the Cubs starting James Russell in place of Matt Garza against the Red Sox Sunday night, Chicago's bullpen is likely to be heavily taxed, which is why Berg's been recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Reed Johnson's batting .392 this season and figures to get most of Byrd's playing time, but the Cubs figure to add an outfielder to the roster eventually, with recently demoted Tyler Colvin the obvious candidate.

Cubs' Marlon Byrd Released From Hospital

The Cubs' Marlon Byrd, who was hit near his left eye by Boston's Alfredo Aceves in Saturday night's 9-3 win over the Red Sox, was released from a Boston-area hospital Sunday morning, according to Chicago Breaking Sports.

The article quotes ESPN's John Kruk as saying that he spoke to Byrd this morning:

ESPN's John Kruk spoke to Byrd on the phone Sunday, and was told that Byrd would leave the hospital soon, and that his left eye was swollen shut.

There's been no further word on the severity of the injury beyond that, nor have the Cubs announced a roster move, though it's clear that Byrd won't be playing for quite some time and the Cubs will need another outfielder. It's possible that Tyler Colvin will be recalled from Triple-A Iowa, where he was sent on May 17. Normally, players must stay in the minor leagues for at least 10 days after being optioned, but there are exceptions to that rule in the case of an injury.

The Cubs and Red Sox conclude their interleague series Sunday night at Fenway Park.

Marlon Byrd Beaned, Held In Hospital Overnight

According to MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat, Marlon Byrd would spend Saturday night in hospital after being struck by an errant Alfredo Aceves fastball, just under his left eye, in the second inning of the evening’s Red Sox-Cubs at Fenway Park.

Immediately upon getting beaned, Byrd writhed around on the ground for a few seconds, but eventually stood up and was able to walk off the field under (mostly) his own power but had “a bloody gash” under his eye.

Aceves said after the game that the beaning was unintentional. He said he tried to find out how Byrd was doing but hadn’t heard, saying he was concerned.

“There’s nothing you can do about a walk or a hit by pitch,” Aceves said. Nothing intentional, obviously."

An update wasn’t expected until Sunday morning, but it’s obviously unlikely that Byrd will play against the Red Sox in the series finale, Sunday night on ESPN.

Chicago Cubs' Marlon Byrd Hit In Head By Pitch, Taken To Hospital

After being struck in the left eye by a pitch by Boston Red Sox starter Alfredo Aceves in the second inning of Saturday night's game, Chicago Cubs outfielder Marlon Byrd has been taken to a local hospital for examination, according to the Chicago Cubs' official Twitter feed:

Marlon Byrd was taken to a local hospital for evaluation after being HBP below the left eye in the 2nd. He never lost consciousness.

Aceves' pitch was a high-riding fastball. As Byrd moved his head to attempt to avoid the pitch, the baseball struck flush the outside of his left eye socket.

That news that Byrd never lost consciousness is certainly good, but his overall health status is unknown at present. As he walked off the field under his own power, Byrd was assisted by trainers who put a towel over his eye, covering what appeared to be a bleeding cut. Byrd was replaced in the game by Reed Johnson.

For more on this developing story, follow along with Bleed Cubbie Blue and SB Nation Chicago.