Lawrie’s big league debut delayed by broken hand

After a 90 mph-plus fastball hit flush on the top of his left hand in a May 31 game at Cashman Field, 51s third baseman Brett Lawrie was elated when X-rays showed only a bruise.

But once the swelling subsided, some of Lawrie's fears were realized when a subsequent C-T scan showed a nondisplaced fracture in his left hand.

Lawrie, the Blue Jays' No. 2 prospect, has returned to Toronto's minor league complex in Dunedin, Fla., and isn't expected to return to Las Vegas until July.

"Those little bones in your hand can be tricky sometimes. I can't put a timetable on it," 51s manager Marty Brown said Thursday before Las Vegas opened a four-game series in Tucson with a 6-0 loss to the Padres. "We'll do another MRI and see what happens from there."

Lawrie, 21, was among the Pacific Coast League leaders in nearly every offensive category before getting injured and appeared on the verge of making his major league debut with the Blue Jays.

Only a few hours before the right-handed hitter was plunked by Tucson pitcher Anthony Bass, Toronto general manager Alex Anthopolous said Lawrie was "close" to earning his first promotion to the big leagues. He reportedly was to debut June 3 in Baltimore.

"It's unfortunate. It's bad timing," Brown said. "You have so many bones in your hand, it's tough for doctors to really see everything."

Lawrie, who couldn't be reached for comment, is batting .354 with 15 home runs, 49 RBIs, 51 runs and 11 steals in 52 games in his first Triple-A season.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.