Phillies’ Hernandez to undergo season-ending surgery on thumb

Cesar Hernandez will undergo season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair ligament damage in his left thumb. The Phillies’ second baseman is expected to be healthy in time for spring training in February.

The need for surgery stems from Hernandez’s awkward fall Sunday after a collision with Anthony Rizzo in the seventh inning of the win against the Chicago Cubs. It resulted in a dislocation of Hernandez’s thumb, and a doctor’s visit Monday revealed the ligament damage.

Estimated recovery time is about three months, which would put Hernandez’s potential participation in winter ball in doubt.

Hernandez, who was placed on the 60-day disabled list, hit .272 over 405 at-bats this season. The 25-year-old Venezuelan started 75 games at second base.

“I’ve seen enough to where I’d feel comfortable with him at second base 1/8next season3/8,” interim manager Pete Mackanin said. “Anything could happen 1/8between now and then3/8, but I like him enough. He offers a lot. He can steal a base. He can draw a walk.

“This is his first year getting so many at-bats at this level, so I think he’s learned from it. He’s learned from some of the mistakes he’s made, as we all do. I like what I’ve seen.”

In conjunction with placing Hernandez on the DL, the Phillies selected the contract of Chase d’Arnaud from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. D’Arnaud, 28, will provide infield depth. Presuming he appears in a game over the season’s final three weeks, he will be the 50th player used by the Phillies this season. The franchise record is 54, set in 1996.

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