Pablo Sandoval to Miss Several Weeks with Fractured Hamate Bone

Pablo Sandoval has been diagnosed with a fractured left hamate bone and the San Francisco Giants third baseman is expected to miss several weeks.  Sandoval sustained a similar injury last season that caused him to miss six weeks of action.  Conor Gillespie is expected to become the Giants everyday third baseman until Sandoval is able to return.

Sandoval sustained the injury during Wednesday’s game against the Miami Marlins.  Sandoval simply took a swing and experienced significant pain.  It was later determined that the slugger had fractured a bone in his hand.

This is certainly a blow to a Giants team that’s already struggled to score runs this season.  Sandoval led the team in home runs (5) and RBIs (15) and was second in OPS (.912) behind only Buster Posey.

After playing in 153 and 152 games during the 2009-10 seasons, Sandoval has had a problem staying on the field for the Giants.  Last season Sandoval missed significant time due to a similar injury, though all Giants players seemed to be unable to remain healthy during last year’s campaign.

The Giants expect Sandoval to miss a similar amount of time this season, likely six weeks.

Until Sandoval is able to rejoin the team, 24-year-old Conor Gillespie will be San Francisco’s everyday third baseman.  Gillespie only has 27 career at-bats at the major league level, though he has posted an OPS of .859 over his five seasons in the minors.

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