Diamond Cuts: Headfirst Into Trouble

Nick Markakis

The red-hot Orioles will be missing a key component to their lineup as they attempt to steal the AL East Division from the Yankees. Markakis suffered a fractured thumb on his left hand after getting hit by a CC Sabathia pitch in the fifth inning of the team's win on Saturday. The initial x-rays taken revealed the break but additional testing will be performed to determine the true extent of the damage. The location of the fracture is crucial. Unlike the other four fingers that have three individual bones each, the thumb is comprised of two bones. The tip of the thumb is the distal phalanx and the next bone down is known as the proximal phalanx. The proximal phalanx articulates with the first metacarpal bone of the hand which serves as the thumb's attachment to the hand and the wrist. A fracture in this area is often more serious than a phalanx fracture and often requires surgery to mend. Regardless of location, the Orioles expect Markakis to miss a

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