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Hand leaves game with hand injury

Right-hander hit by pitch while trying to bunt, exits after four innings

MILWAUKEE -- The hits keep on coming for the Brewers. Starter Donovan Hand left Tuesday night's 6-2 loss to the Padres with a bruised right hand after getting hit by a pitch while squaring to bunt in the third inning.

The Brewers said X-rays were negative and the right-hander is day to day.

"We're hoping that he can make his next start," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "It hit him solid, but he's day to day, and as of right now we're hoping he can make his next start."

His next start would come Sunday in Colorado.

Hand tried to get out of the way of Tyson Ross' third-inning fastball, but it caromed off his right hand. After getting checked out by a trainer, Hand stayed in the game to run and pitched the fourth inning. He allowed a leadoff home run to Will Venable and a one-out single to Nick Hundley, but finished the inning trailing only 2-1.

"He got through that one inning, which I appreciate him going out there, but it was a little tough to send him back out there after that," Roenicke said.

Hand was replaced by Tyler Thornburg in the fifth. Hand threw four innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and one walk with one strikeout. He threw 58 pitches -- 40 for strikes.

"I didn't want to come out of the game. I had good stuff tonight and had a game plan that was kind of taking effect," Hand said. "I finally started locating the ball, so I didn't really want to come out. But just to be on the safe side, no need to push it right now."

Hand said he had a hard time gripping the ball in the fourth inning. He was worried to see what the X-rays showed, but knowing they are negative, he is hopeful to make his next start.

"I was kind of worried about it," Hand said. "A tough place to get hit with 97 [mph]. No matter how hard it is, it's a tough place to get hit. Got lucky there. I pitch for a living, so I kind of need that hand."

Kevin Massoth is an associate reporter for MLB.com.
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