You wouldn’t think stealing bases would result in a thumb injury, but that’s what happened to the Marlins’ Emilio Bonifacio, because he made a head-first slide and, well, injured his thumb. The surgery to repair the thumb ligament will keep him out of action for six weeks:

“I know it was very bad, but I think the reason he’s going to have surgery is just to prevent future [injuries] and to make sure to attach that ligament to the bone and not have it affect him the rest of his career,” Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said. “He’s going to lose a certain amount of time, but it’s not a big difference. But when you slide head-first into a base, a lot of things can happen.”

The extent of the injury leaves the Marlins short two key contributors in the outfield, as Austin Kearns was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday with a strained right hamstring.

Kevin Mattison was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to replace Kearns. Mattison also can play center field.

Bonifacio was the Marlins’ primary center fielder before the injury, so the recall of Mattison will help the team’s outfield depth until Bonifacio’s thumb is ready for action.

And maybe then, he’ll be more careful sliding into second base.