CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) – Phillies first baseman Jim Thome broke the middle finger of his right hand during fielding drills and probably will miss the remainder of spring training.

Thome was injured Friday while taking ground balls at the Phillies’ spring training complex. X-rays taken Saturday confirmed the injury.

“If this is going to happen, I’m glad it happened now,” Thome said. “It’s disappointing, but I can’t dwell on it.”

The injury is believed to be limited to the tip of the finger. Thome traveled to Philadelphia later Saturday to be examined by a specialist.

Thome is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of three weeks.

Phillies general manager Ed Wade said recovery time could be as long as six-to-eight weeks if Thome needs to have pins inserted to stabilize a tendon.

Thome had 47 home runs and 131 RBIs last season in his first year with the Phillies.

The Phillies have been hit by finger injuries this spring. Closer Billy Wagner hasn’t thrown from the mound in nearly two weeks because of an inflammation in the middle finger on his left hand.

“It’s the fickle finger of fate, I guess,” Wade said.

AP-ES-03-06-04 1544EST