Zobrist out 4 weeks with thumb injury

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

ST. PETERSBURG – Ben Zobrist’s upside-down spring training where the former shortstop was in the process of learning six new positions took another spin Monday when it was learned he broke the tip of his right thumb Sunday.

Groomed to be he super-utility fielder – basically everything but pitcher and catcher – Zobrist will miss the next four weeks, according to Rays vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman with a hairline fracture on the tip of his thumb sustained while sliding into second base during Sunday’s game against the visiting Reds.

Friedman said Andy Cannizaro, a non-roster invitee who has played second, short and third base this spring, will take Zobrist’s spot as the utility infielder.

“Assuming we don’t bring anybody in to compete he will start the season,” Friedman said.

The 29-year-old Cannizaro was a seventh-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2001 and reached the majors in 2006, playing 13 games for the Yankees.

A back injury in camp last spring derailed his 2007 season and he was released by the Yankees after the year. The Rays signed him to a minor league contract Nov. 28.