MIAMI — Rockies first baseman , who injured the index finger on his left hand during Friday night’s game against the Marlins, will see a hand specialist in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Monday to determine the severity of the injury.
Manager Bud Black confirmed Sunday morning that Murphy will go on the 10-day injured list but said there is to timetable for how long Murphy will be out of action. The Rockies have not yet made a corresponding roster move. That move will probably come Monday.
“He’s got, whatever you want to call it in that finger — an avulsion fracture, mallet finger — there are a lot of terms,” Black said. “But he’s going to be out, and he’ll be on the (injured) list.”
Black said he “doesn’t have a crystal ball” to tell him how long Murphy will be sidelined.
, an avulsion fracture occurs when a small chunk of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone. Treatment typically includes resting and icing the affected area, followed by controlled exercises that help restore range of motion, improve muscle strength and promote bone healing.
Most avulsion fractures heal well without surgical intervention, but sometimes it is required.
Murphy is scheduled to visit Dr. Donald Sheridan, an orthopedic surgeon who has treated numerous big-league ballplayers.
X-rays taken Saturday revealed a break near the tip of his finger. Murphy injured the finger of his glove hand during the fourth inning Friday night while making a background grab of a grounder by the Marlins’ Brian Anderson. Murphy remained in the game and singled in the ninth inning of Colorado’s 6-1 victory. The finger, however, became worse overnight.
Asked if he had any idea how long he will be out, Murphy answered: “You guys are going to find out very quickly that I don’t do timetables. When I’m back in the lineup, I’m healthy.”
Murphy, who turns 34 on Monday, signed a two-year, $24 million contract with Colorado during the offseason. He was the club’s only major acquisition of the offseason and is expected to be an offensive force. In his absence, and will see time at first base. Reynolds started at first base Sunday against the Marlins.
