Hamilton injures glove hand on superb catch
Center fielder day to day after spraining two knuckles on game's first pitch
CINCINNATI -- Reds center fielder and leadoff hitter Billy Hamilton made a spectacular catch to begin Thursday's game against the Brewers, but it may prove costly.
On the very first pitch of the game from Reds starter Homer Bailey, Carlos Gomez lined a rocket to right-center field. Hamilton ran back toward the gap and made a superb diving catch that robbed Gomez of an extra-base hit.
After hitting the ground rather hard, Hamilton got up slowly. The Reds announced that Hamilton sprained the third and fourth knuckles on his left hand.
Although he finished the top of the inning, he was lifted for pinch-hitter Chris Heisey to open the bottom of the first.
"He dove for a ball and jammed his fingers, and unfortunately, it was the same hand he had jammed earlier in the year in New York [on April 4]," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "We're optimistic it will only be a day or two. But again, you never know until you see him in a day or two. We won't anticipate him playing [Friday] or at least starting in the outfield. But there are probably some things he can do to help us win a game."
In 27 games, Hamilton is batting .245 with one home run, six RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 16 attempts.
Injuries have plagued the Reds this season, and they've already put 10 players on the disabled list. Earlier in the day, starting pitcher Tony Cingrani went on the DL with left shoulder tendinitis.