Alex Bregman Spoils Former Red Sox Pitcher’s Comeback Year With Pinch-Hit Homer

So much for Alex Bregman getting a day off Sunday.

Bregman, who returned from the injured list last week, didn’t start Sunday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. The Boston Red Sox are easing their All-Star third baseman back into action from a quad injury, as he skipped a rehab assignment to rejoin the club sooner.

That planned rest was interrupted when Alex Cora called Bregman off the bench in a key spot. Up 2-1 with two runners on base in the top of the eighth, Bregman pinch-hit for Masataka Yoshida against left-handed relief pitcher Drew Pomeranz.

Bregman justified the decision, crushing a three-run home run against the former Boston pitcher. His first blast since May 14 gave the Red Sox plenty of breathing room, and they avoided a sweep with a 6-1 win at Wrigley Field.

Bregman’s homer was a welcome sight for Boston, as the 31-year-old was previously 3-for-16 with no walks and a double since getting activated on July 11. The offense’s early-season catalyst is now hitting .294/.374/.547 with a dozen long balls.

Bregman predicted better times ahead when speaking to reporters after Saturday’s game, via NESN’s YouTube channel.

“I’m getting there,” Bregman said. “I’m gonna get squared away here and get back to rolling.”

Meanwhile, Bregman’s home run marked a rare mistake in an otherwise spectacular 2025 season for Pomeranz.

After three years away from the majors, Pomeranz made 26 appearances for the Cubs before allowing his first earned run. The 36-year-old had permitted two runs in 26 innings before surrendering three on Sunday.

Pomeranz still boasts a 1.71 ERA, commendable results for someone who began the season in the minors after numerous injury setbacks. Yet he surrendered costly insurance runs to his old team the inning after Ryan Pressly yielded a go-ahead home run to Wilyer Abreu.

Bregman and the Red Sox stay on the road for a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies that starts Monday at 6:45 p.m. ET.