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.