Monday July 9, 2012

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves announced today that rookie shortstop Andrelton Simmons will be placed on the 15-day disabled list after injuring the small (pinky) finger on his right hand yesterday at Philadelphia.

Today Dr. Gary Lourie examined Simmons and confirmed that he has a non-displaced fracture of the fifth metacarpal in his right hand. Simmons’ hand will be placed in a cast for four weeks. Once the cast is removed he will be re-evaluated to determine the next phase of treatment. No timetable for his return has been set.

Named the National League’s Rookie of the Month for June, the 22-year-old Simmons is batting .296 (34-for-115) with 13 runs scored, three home runs, seven doubles and 15 RBIs in 33 games for the Braves. Since making his debut on June 2, he has posted 10 multi-hit games and has played stellar defense.

Selected by Atlanta in the second round (70th overall) of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, Simmons became the first Braves player from the 2010 draft class to reach the majors.