Seattle outfielder Michael Morse suffered a small fracture in the little finger on his right hand and could be out for up to a week.
Morse, who is tied for the major-league lead in home runs with six, was hit on the hand by a pitch from Texas’ Tanner Scheppers in the seventh inning of the Mariners’ 4-3 loss to the Rangers on Thursday night. The pitch was ruled a swinging strike and Morse finished the at-bat. He then was hit on the shoulder by another pitch.
Mariners manager Eric Wedge estimated that the non-displaced fracture could keep Morse, hitting .293 with nine RBI in 10 games, out of action for three to seven days. Morse hopes to be able to return by Sunday.
A day earlier, the Mariners’ Michael Saunders sprained his right shoulder and was placed on the disabled list.