Scott Brosius Third Base New York Yankees Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI R SB AVG 104 12 42 53 3 .295

NEW YORK -- Just when the New York Yankees thought they were getting their regular lineup back, they lost another player.

Third baseman Scott Brosius went on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a hairline fracture in his left hand and designated hitter David Justice was activated from the DL.

"I was surprised and shocked that there was a break there," Brosius said. "It's a small crack, but it goes all the way through the bone. We only know that it's going to be three or four weeks before we can do anything."

Brosius was hit in the hand by a pitch from Kevin Foster in the sixth inning Wednesday night. He left the game an inning later and X-rays revealed the fracture. Brosius is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks. Luis Sojo started in his place Thursday against Texas.

"It's one of those things that hurt but you can't do anything about it," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "Other clubs have injuries, too. You just have to play through it."

The Yankees did add Justice, who has had only four at-bats since June 15 because of a strained left groin. He had two stints on the disabled list.

Justice went hitless in four at-bats in a 12-2 loss to Texas on Thursday.

"He's like making a trade," Torre said. "Hopefully he can stay healthy the rest of the way."

Justice went 0-for-8 in two rehab starts for Double-A Norwich this week, but Torre is confident he's recovered.

Justice originally got hurt June 14 while running the bases against Montreal. He came back June 30 but reinjured himself the next day and has been out since. The Yankees expect this stay to be longer.

"All the reports are favorable," Torre said. "He's anxious to go. We'll just turn him loose."

Justice is hitting just .241 with 10 homers and 30 RBI this season, but the Yankees are counting on his production down the stretch.

Last year, he had 20 homers and 68 RBIs in 78 games for the Yankees. He also hit three homers and drove in 12 runs in the postseason, winning the ALCS MVP.

"To me, he's one of our regular players," Torre said. "Last year in the postseason, he batted third in the lineup. He was a big reason we did what we did last year."

Justice's return will likely cut into the playing time of Shane Spencer, who has been sharing left field and DH with Chuck Knoblauch.

But Knoblauch has a .407 on-base percentage since the All-Star break and will get the bulk of the playing time in left field.

"He's my leadoff hitter," Torre said. "As long as he's going well he'll play."

The Yankees also were without catcher Jorge Posada, who missed his third straight game because of a stomach virus. Posada is expected back Friday.