By ANDREW WAGNER
The Fan Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE -- Rhys Hoskins is going to be sidelined a little longer than expected.
The Brewers' first baseman, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday after spraining his left thumb a day earlier in Miami, is expected to miss the next six weeks after further imaging revealed a Grade 2 ligament sprain along with a bone bruise.
Hoskins suffered the injury while applying a tag to the Marlins' Eric Wagaman in the fourth inning inning of Milwaukee's 3-1 victory Sunday. There was hope Hoskins wouldn't miss extended time after X-rays didn't reveal any structural damage, but the additional tests told another story.
"Just part of the game, unfortunately," Hoskins said Tuesday while the Brewers prepared to face the Dodgers at American Family Field. "The timing of the play didn't allow me to, I guess, tag him in a safer manner. But that's a part of the position and that's the type of play expected of us over there to help out our infielders as much as we can."
Hoskins had been scuffling at the plate of late, batting just .170 with three homers, seven RBIs and a .599 OPS since June 1, but is slashing .242/.340/.428 with 12 homers and a .767 OPS in 82 games overall this season and was one of Milwaukee's few right-handed power threats.
He'll wear a splint for the next few weeks while the injury heals then focus on rebuilding strength in the thumb before he's able to pick up a bat and resume baseball activities.
"Every time you don't get to be on the field is disappointing," Hoskins said. "Obviously, the length of this (absence) makes it more disappointing. It seems like we're finding our footing as a group, playing some really good baseball. We'll be playing some really good teams this next month or so.
"I'm bummed not to be out there with these guys, competing."
Andrew Vaughn started in place of Hoskins at first base for the second straight game Tuesday.
Acquired in the June 13 trade that sent Aaron Civale to the White Sox, the former No. 3 overall pick had a memorable Milwaukee debut, belting a three-run home run in the first inning off Dodgers All-Star Yoshinobu Yamamoto Monday night.
"It's great, man," Hoskins said. "I've been across the diamond from him for a couple years; I remember him as a college player. Everybody knows he can hit. He's stoked to join this type of energy – especially with how we've been playing.
"It was pretty cool to see him soak in that moment and come through for us. That's an all-star pitcher over there, and he really kind of powered that surge for us."
Manager Pat Murphy said the tentative plan for now is to platoon Vaughn and left-handed-hitting Jake Bauers at first base.
Hitting Coach Undergoes Surgery
Lead hitting coach Al LeBoeuf will be away from the team indefinitely after undergoing prostate surgery Monday.
A longtime coach in Milwaukee's minor-league system, LeBouef was in his first season with the big-league club after being named the team's lead hitting instructor last winter.
"It's tough being new in the big leagues. It's a very big adjustment. And Al has been open-minded and everybody who knows him loves him," Murphy said. "He's a guy who you can see is a baseball lifer, and he's passionate about (the game) so we look forward to getting him back as soon as possible."
LeBouef, 65, previously battled cancer in 2013 that ultimately required a stem cell transplant. While undergoing treatment and recovering, LeBouef remained with the organization as a scout before eventually returning to coaching duties with Class A Wisconsin in 2016 and later, with Milwaukee's Triple-A affiliates at Colorado Springs, San Antonio and Nashville.
Trainer's Room
LHP Nestor Cortes' next minor-league rehab assignment has been pushed to Thursday when he'll work 3-4 innings with a pitch count of 65 for High-A Wisconsin.
LHP Robert Gasser reported some issues recovering from a live batting practice session last week but is scheduled to throw another this week and if all goes well, could start a rehab assignment next week with the Brewers' Arizona Complex League affiliate.
OF Blake Perkins is making progress as he recovers from a groin strain suffered last week and is on track to resume his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Friday.
RHP Carlos Rodriguez threw a two-inning live BP without issue on Monday and is scheduled to throw three innings in an Arizona Complex League game on Saturday.
LHP Rob Zastryzny is continuing a throwing progression with an estimated return date later this month.
On Deck
Left-hander Jose Quintana (6-3, 3.44 ERA) gets the start when the Brewers and Dodgers wrap up their series Wednesday afternoon at American Family Field. Quintana took the loss his last time out, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out three over six innings and is 3-2 with a 2.04 ERA in 13 career appearances (10 starts) against the Dodgers, who have not named a starter for the series finale.
