Pirates Expect Catcher to Miss Month

The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced they expect to be without their catcher, Ryan Doumit, for at least a month.  Doumit sustained a left ankle fracture during Sunday’s contest against the Cubs.

It was another collision at home plate, this one a bit less controversial than the Posey-Cousins incident, that sent Doumit to the disabled list.

Doumit’s counterpart, Cubs catcher Koyie Hill, lifted a fly ball to right, and Carlos Pena attempted to tag up from third.  The throw came in just late, as Pena slid into home feet first.  The plate was not all the first baseman caught, as he also connected with the left leg of Doumit.

Keeping in line with his career numbers, Doumit carries a mark of .269/.333/.441 with him to the DL.

Pittsburgh will replace their starting catcher with a combination of recent call up Dusty Brown and veteran backstop Chris Snyder.

The team will wish Doumit a speedy recovery; not only to help the Pirates produce, but also to showcase him as a potential trade chip.

Minor league catcher Tony Sanchez, the team’s top positional prospect, is believed to be Pittsburgh’s backstop of the future.  He’s maintained a career minor league line of .301/.405/.461, and he is known for his solid defense and arm behind the plate.

Doumit is under Pittsburgh’s control for two more seasons.  The Pirates hold team options in 2012-13 totaling $15.5 million.

In order to get anything of worth for Doumit, the team would likely have to pick up some of the remains of the catcher’s $5.2 million 2011 salary.