OAKLAND, Calif. - Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez will be sidelined at least six weeks with a broken bone in his right hand.
Chavez was hurt in the 11th inning of Oakland's 6-4, 12-inning win over the White Sox on Tuesday after getting hit by a pitch from Damaso Marte.
Infielder Esteban German was recalled Wednesday from Triple-A Sacramento to take Chavez's roster spot.
"I don't know if I felt worse for myself or the team," said Chavez, who hopes to have the splint removed June 21. "In this case, time's all you've got. ... I don't even want to guess. Hopefully, it heals quick and I'll be ready to go."
Chavez has a broken fifth metacarpal, right above his pinkie and ring finger. Trainer Larry Davis called it a "clean" break, meaning Chavez won't need surgery to have a pin installed.
BURNETT BACK: Marlins right-hander A.J. Burnett, whose 2003 season ended in April because of elbow reconstruction surgery, begins his major-league comeback tonight when he's set to start against the Mets.
"It's important to me to get out there and pitch with these guys," Burnett said. "This team's come a long way since I got hurt. Guys have gotten a lot better over the last couple years. (Today) is going to mean more to me pitching for them, than me just going out there to pitch."
PRIOR READY: Cubs right-hander Mark Prior threw 32 pitches off the mound at Wrigley Field and said he's ready for his season debut Friday against the Pirates. On the disabled list all season with a sore Achilles' tendon and tender elbow, Prior will be on a pitch limit Friday.
BRADLEY'S STUFF RETURNED: Dodgers centerfielder Milton Bradley got his bat, batting gloves and helmet returned to him a day after umpire Joe West confiscated them during a wild argument. Bradley took off his gloves and left them near home plate with the bat and helmet after being ejected for arguing balls and strikes.
MONDESI DEAL PROBED: Commissioner Bud Selig said he had ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding outfielder Raul Mondesi's departure from the Pirates and subsequent acquisition by the Angels. Mondesi has denied skirting rules to flee a last-place team and sign with one in first place.
BLUE JAYS: Cy Young winner Roy Halladay will miss his next scheduled start with a sore right shoulder. An examination showed no serious damage.
ORIOLES: Outfielder Jay Gibbons went on the 15-day disabled list with back spasms. Outfielder Tim Raines Jr. was recalled from Triple-A Ottawa.
RED SOX: Right-hander Pedro Martinez had to work extra hard for his 2,500th career strikeout. Angels rookie Casey Kotchman, the former Seminole High standout, fouled off 11 straight pitches before the three-time Cy Young Award winner got him to swing and miss on a full count.
TIGERS: Catcher Ivan Rodriguez was removed from the starting lineup because of inflammation in his right wrist.
WHITE SOX: Rightfielder Magglio Ordonez missed his seventh straight game with a strained left calf and probably will go on the disabled list.
YANKEES: First baseman Jason Giambi went 0-for-2 with an intentional walk in his first rehabilitation start for Class A Tampa. Giambi, on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right ankle, is scheduled to play seven innings for Tampa tonight. ... Centerfielder Kenny Lofton went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.
