Angels outfielder Collin Cowgill has broken nose, out 4 to 5 weeks

Collin Cowgill suffered a broken nose and a small fracture in his right thumb when he foul-tipped a high-and-tight fastball while squaring to bunt in the eighth inning Saturday night.

The Angels outfielder will undergo surgery on his nose and will be sidelined for four to five weeks, Manager Mike Scioscia said. Cowgill was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and the Angels called up utility man Grant Green from triple-A Salt Lake before Sunday’s series finale against the Texas Rangers.

“As bad as it was, thank God he didn’t get hit in the eye or the teeth,” Scioscia said. “It’s obviously a tough break, and it’s a terrible injury, but the reality is, it could have been worse.”

Cowgill, who was facing Rangers pitcher Matt West, suffered a deep gash on the bridge of his nose and was bleeding profusely, but he remained conscious and alert. He received several stitches before being taken to a hospital for further tests and was not available before Sunday’s game in Globe Life Park.

Cowgill has been an important reserve for the Angels, sharing right field and the leadoff spot with Kole Calhoun and is hitting .277 with five home runs, 16 runs batted in and 28 runs in 69 games.

West, the hard-throwing Rangers right-hander, called over to the Angels clubhouse after Saturday night’s game to check on Cowgill and make sure he was OK.