The Atlanta Braves announced today that rookie shortstop Andrelton Simmons will be placed on the 15-day disabled list after injuring the small (pinky) finger on his right hand yesterday at Philadelphia.
Today Dr. Gary Lourie examined Simmons and confirmed that he has a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal in his right hand. Simmons’ hand will be placed in a cast for four weeks. Once the cast is removed he will be re-evaluated to determine the next phase of treatment. No timetable for his return has been set.
Named the National League’s Rookie of the Month for June, the 22-year-old Simmons is batting .296 (34-for-115) with 13 runs scored, three home runs, seven doubles and 15 RBIs in 33 games for the Braves. Since making his debut on June 2, he has posted 10 multi-hit games and has played stellar defense.
Selected by Atlanta in the second round (70th overall) of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, Simmons became the first Braves player from the 2010 draft class to reach the majors.
A corresponding roster move will not be announced until at least Thursday (July 12). The Braves open the second half of the 2012 season on Friday (July 13) against the New York Mets (7:35 p.m.).