Andrelton Simmons to be in cast four weeks

Braves rookie shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who fractured his finger Sunday, will be in a cast the next four weeks.

Atlanta will be without their rookie shortstop for more than a month. (US Presswire)

Braves rookie shortstop Andrelton Simmons broke his finger Sunday sliding into second base, and the team announced that Simmons will spend the next four weeks in a cast.

The Braves say that after Simmons's cast is removed, "he will be re-evaluated to determine the next phase of treatment." The clear implication is that he's going to be out for longer than a month. Given that a cast on his throwing hand won't permit much in the way of baseball activity, a minor-league rehab assignment seems likely. As such, it's possible Simmons won't rejoin the team until the rosters expand in September.

The 22-year-old Simmons is hitting a productive .296/.336/.452 while providing plus-plus defense in the field. He'll certainly be missed by the contending Braves.

It's likely that veteran Jack Wilson will serve as Atlanta's regular shortstop.

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