CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Phillies first baseman Jim Thome broke
the middle finger of his right hand during fielding drills and
probably will miss the remainder of spring training.
Thome was injured Friday while taking ground balls at the
Phillies' spring training complex. X-rays taken Saturday showed that Thome suffered a non-displaced fracture.
"If this is going to happen, I'm glad it happened now," Thome
said. "It's disappointing, but I can't dwell on it."
The injury is believed to be limited to the tip of the finger.
Thome traveled to Philadelphia later Saturday to be examined by a
specialist.
Thome is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of three weeks.
Phillies general manager Ed Wade said recovery time could be as
long as six-to-eight weeks.
The longer recovery time would be neede if the fracture is in a spot that affects the tendon in the finger, in which case Thome would need to have pins inserted to
stabilize a tendon, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Phillies won't know which scenario will play out until Thome visits hand specialist Randy Culp on Monday, the paper reported.
Thome had 47 home runs and 131 RBI last season in his first
year with the Phillies.
The Phillies have been hit by finger injuries this spring.
Closer Billy Wagner hasn't thrown from the mound in nearly two
weeks because of an inflammation in the middle finger on his left
hand.
"It's the fickle finger of fate, I guess," Wade said.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.