The Braves said rookie outfielder Mallex Smith is expected to be out eight to 10 weeks because of a fractured left thumb he suffered during an at-bat Monday at the Mets.
An X-ray taken at the stadium Sunday revealed the fracture, and Smith met with a hand specialist Monday in Atlanta. The Braves placed Smith on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and said Smith would be evaluated in a week to determine if surgery is necessary.
“It’s just a shame,” Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. “He was progressing well. He brings a lot of energy to your team, too. I hate it for him that he’s got to be down that long. Maybe it’s not that long, who knows. Maybe it heals up a little better in a week and it’s not 10 weeks.”
To make Smith’s place on the roster, the Braves purchased the contract of Emilio Bonifacio from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Smith, 23, has been a lineup regular since he was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett during the second week of the season. He’s started 31 games in center field and 16 in left while batting .237, with a .312 on-base percentage and a team-leading 14 stolen bases.
Snitker has used Smith as the regular left fielder against a right-handed starting pitcher, with occasional starts against lefties. Snitker said that with Smith out, the position will be manned with a platoon that includes Bonifacio, Jeff Francoeur, Jace Peterson and Chase d’Arnaud.
Smith suffered the injury when Mets left-hander Antonio Bastardo hit him with a 91-mph fastball. Snitker said even if Smith hadn’t suffered the fracture he would have probably needed to go on the DL because of the location of the injury.
