Scottsdale, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) – Diamondbacks catcher Oscar Hernandez
is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after breaking the hamate bone in his left hand.
Hernandez initially felt soreness in his hand on Monday, but felt a sharp pain
after fouling a pitch off on Tuesday.
He will undergo surgery to remove the bone on Thursday.
Because he was selected from the Tampa Bay Rays with the first overall pick of
the Rule 5 draft, Hernandez has to remain on the major league roster all
season or be offered back to Tampa Bay. However, he can be placed on the
disabled list and go on a rehab assignment with the Diamondbacks.
Hernandez, 21, played last season with Class A Bowling Green of the Midwest
League, posting a .249 batting average and .301 on-base percentage and
throwing out 41 percent of attempted base-stealers.