Vina Has Ruptured Hamstring

The St. Louis Cardinals put second baseman Fernando Vina on the 15-day disabled list Monday because of a hamstring injury that will sideline him for six to 12 weeks.

Vina, St. Louis’ leadoff hitter, has struggled much of the year, but a six-game hitting streak had boosted his average to .262 with a .316 on-base percentage.

Vina was injured while running to first base in the Cardinals’ 8-7 loss at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

An MRI exam Monday revealed the damage.

George Paletta, the Cardinal team physician, said Vina has a “complete rupture” of the tendon beside the inside of his right knee and would need surgery to return at the early estimate.

Paletta said Vina will be re-evaluated in 48 hours after the swelling subsides.

*

Third baseman Eric Hinske of the Toronto Blue Jays will have surgery Wednesday on his right hand for a broken bone and is expected to sit out four to six weeks.

Hinske, last season’s American League rookie of the year, was put on the 15-day disabled list.

The hand has bothered him for much of the season. He is batting .232 with two home runs and 21 runs batted in.

“It’s been hurting me pretty much the whole year, I’ve just been trying to play through it,” Hinske said.

Hinske batted .279 with 24 home runs and 84 RBIs last year.

*

The San Francisco Giants pushed Barry Bonds’ return back at least a day after the slugger still had soreness in his right knee after batting practice.

Manager Felipe Alou had hoped to have Bonds for the start of a two-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight, but said it will be at least Wednesday before he can play.

*

Byung-Hyun Kim will come off the disabled list to start for the Diamondbacks tonight against the Giants, and rookie Brandon Webb will not make his scheduled start Wednesday because of tendinitis in his elbow.

John Patterson will be recalled from triple-A Tucson to start in place of Webb, Diamondback Manager Bob Brenly said.

Kim, converted from a closer to a starter this season, has been sidelined since April 30 because of a bruised right ankle.

*

Outfielder Jason Bay of the San Diego Padres will be sidelined at least six weeks after fracturing his right wrist in his third major league game.

Bay was injured when he was hit by a pitch from Arizona’s Elmer Dessens in the second inning Sunday. Bay was put on the 15-day disabled list.