Red Sox infielder David Hamilton placed on IL with fractured index finger
The Red Sox placed infielder David Hamilton on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left index finger on Thursday, calling up infielder Nick Sogard to fill his spot on the roster.
Hamilton suffered the injury while laying down a bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning. The infielder was hit on the hand by the pitch while trying to get his bat on it, and though he reached safely on an error by the catcher, Hamilton immediately could tell something was wrong.
“It was a little up and in, I tried to get the bunt down but it got my finger too,” Hamilton said. “When I got to first I knew something was wrong because I couldn’t really feel my finger. It was hurting too.”
Given that most fractures typically take 4-6 weeks to heal, it’s difficult to imagine Hamilton being able to hit effectively again before the end of the season. That being said, Cora didn’t rule out the possibility Hamilton could still play this season, saying he could potentially still serve as a late-inning pinch runner.
“We’ll see how long he’s going to be out. Obviously rosters expanding, maybe there’s a role with him where he doesn’t have to hit,” Cora said. “We always talk about the speed factor, so we’ll see.”
Hamilton ranks among baseball’s most prolific base-stealers, and his 33 stolen bases is second in franchise history by a rookie behind only Jacoby Ellsbury (50, 2008). He’s also emerged as a reliable all-around contributor, batting .248 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 98 games.
Injury updates
Left-hander Cam Booser (left elbow inflammation) began a rehab assignment in Worcester on Thursday night. He was scheduled to throw one inning of relief. … Right-hander Liam Hendriks (Tommy John rehab) is expected to throw his next rehab outing on Friday. He will likely throw another two or three before returning to the majors. … Cora said “there’s a good chance” shortstop Trevor Story (fractured shoulder) begins a rehab assignment next week. … Rafael Devers (shoulder soreness) was out of the lineup for the third straight game Thursday but is expected to serve as a DH on Friday and Saturday in Detroit before returning to the field on Sunday.