CHICAGO (AP) -Alfonso Soriano could miss up to six weeks with a broken left hand after the Chicago Cubs star was hit by a pitch Wednesday night against Atlanta.
Soriano was hit in the second inning by Jeff Bennett. The Chicago leadoff man will be in a splint for three weeks, Cubs spokesman Peter Chase said.
Soriano spent time on the disabled list earlier this season with a calf injury.
After a slow start that led to Cubs fans booing him, Soriano had found his groove recently and helped the Cubs move into the NL Central lead.
For a team that has not won the World Series since 1908, the injury was startlingly bad break. Soriano entered the game with a .284 average, a team-high 15 homers and 40 RBIs.
Bennett’s inside pitch caught Soriano just as he was turning to begin his swing and he immediately sunk to the ground.
Trainer Mark O’Neal and manager Lou Piniella came out of the dugout. Soriano was one knee while O’Neal examined him, then walked to the dugout and was taken to a hospital.
The Cubs led 3-0 at the time of his departure. Soriano had grounded out in his first at-bat in the first inning.
Mike Fontenot came in to run for Soriano and stayed in the game at second base. Mark DeRosa, who started the game at second, switched to Soriano’s spot in left field.
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