Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner is out indefinitely with a non-displaced broken index finger, manager Davey Martinez announced. Turner suffered the injury in his first at-bat against the Philadelphia Phillies Tuesday.
The ball rose up and hit Turner in the hand. Immediately there was concern as Turner clutched his hand.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said told the Sports Junkies Wednesday morning Turner suffered a “clean break, no pin placement.”
Rizzo confirmed that Adrian Sanchez is on his way from Triple-A Fresno, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN. Rizzo doesn’t believe top prospect Carter Kieboom is ready yet.
Wilmer Difo is expected to assume the shortstop position in Turner’s absence.
“Difo is going to get an opportunity to play, and he’s here for a reason, so we’ve just got to come back tomorrow and play baseball,” Martinez told reporters following the Nats’ 8-2 loss to the Phillies, per Patrick Reddington of Federal Baseball.
How Martinez and the Nationals address the batting order remains to be seen?
Turner was batting second in the order behind lead-off hitter Adam Eaton. Turner’s impact has already been felt early in the season, as led the team in hits, runs, RBIs, and stolen bases entering Tuesday’s game.
