Byrd Out Indefinitely After Beaning

After his ugly beaning Saturday, Chicago Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd has been placed on the team’s 15 day disabled list.  It has been announced that he is suffering from a facial fracture.

Byrd was hit by a fastball from Red Sox pitcher Alfredo Aceves just under his left eye.  He immediately dropped and began exclaiming how he was unable to see.  Byrd, who had a huge gash under his eye, was helped off the field by the training staff.

Teammates were understandably shaken up, fearing the worst.

"“When you see an injury like that, hits you in the face, a fastball — you want to be optimistic,” Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena said. “When he was walking off the field, he said, ‘I can’t see. My left eye.’ … It was scary. When you hear a crowd make a certain noise. It’s something you can’t explain. You fear the worse for your friend.”"

Pena visited Byrd in the hospital and noted that the center fielder is in good spirits.  His vision is still blurred, but it is improving.

Byrd had a great first half of April before tailing off a bit towards the end.  He has rebounded to hit .344 in May, leaving him with a line of .308/.346/.416.  He’s been a big contributor to a Cubs offense that ranks 2^nd in the majors with a .279 team batting average.

Right hander Justin Berg has been called up to take Byrd’s roster spot.  Outfielder Reed Johnson, who manned center field Sunday night, is likely to get the majority of starts with Byrd on the DL.