Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval out with fractured hamate bone

San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN Sports) – The San Francisco Giants were already in need of some offense and the news surrounding third baseman Pablo Sandoval made that need grow even more.

The Giants announced Thursday that their top run producer has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left hamate bone.

Conor Gillaspie was recalled from Triple-A Fresno to replace Sandoval, who is expected to be out of the lineup from four to six weeks.

“You just don’t replace a guy like Pablo. The guy was on the All-Star team last year,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “There are few guys in Major League Baseball who can do things he can do with the bat.”

Sandoval missed approximately 6 1/2 weeks last year when he broke his right hamate bone. This time the Giants are hopeful he could return sooner.

Sandoval hurt his throwing hand last year, prompting a more cautious recovery. A switch-hitter, Sandoval was injured last season while batting left-handed, the side he employs predominantly. He sustained his latest fracture hitting right-handed last Sunday against San Diego.

“So there’s hope for some optimism,” Giants head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said. “But it is four to six weeks.”

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