San Diego Padres’ minor league catcher Austin Hedges will require surgery on a broken hand, and will likely be out 6-8 weeks, according to San Diego Union Tribune’s Dennis Lin.
Hedges’ injury was initially marked as a hand contusion on Sunday before a further investigation into the injury showed it to be more serious.
According to MLB insider AJ Casavvel, a date for the surgery on the broken hamate has not been set.
Hedges had been performing well for the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate for the Padres, as he was hitting .333 with 2 home runs and 9 rbis in 10 games in 2016.
The 23-year-old prospect was expected to make his way to the majors at some point this season, but the setback likely means that Hedges will have to wait until next year to do so.
Hedges spent some time on the Padres’ roster for 56 games in 2015, hitting .168 and striking out 30 times in 152 plate appearances.
