With the Braves off Monday there was no update on Mallex Smith, but the rookie outfielder seemed likely to miss at least six weeks after his left thumb was broken when hit by a pitch during Sunday’s series-clinching win against the Mets.
Smith will go on the disabled list and a replacement added to the roster before Tuesday’s series opener against the Marlins in Miami. Barring a last-minute trade, the most likely candidate appeared to be veteran utility player Emilio Bonifacio, who was not in Triple-A Gwinnett’s lineup Monday night.
An X-ray taken at the stadium in New York Sunday showed a fracture in Smith’s thumb after he was hit by a 91-mph fastball from left-hander Antonio Bastardo. Smith was scheduled to be examined by Braves doctors Monday in Atlanta to evaluate his situation and determine whether surgery might be recommended.
The Braves haven’t given any timetable for his return, but a broken thumb typically requires at least four to six weeks of rehab before a player can regain grip strength and resume baseball activities.
Smith leads the Braves in stolen bases (14), batting average with runners in scoring position (.349), and average against right-handers (.298). While his overall average (.237) and OPS (.691) were modest, in his past 42 games he hit .272 with a .778 OPS.
He has been used by interim manager Brian Snitker as the regular left fielder against opposing right-handed pitchers and occasionally faced lefties (he’s 3-for-45 against lefties).
Smith is a natural center fielder and has been the backup center fielder to Ender Inciarte, after being brought up from Triple-A to fill in when Inciarte was injured in the third game of the season and missed five weeks.
