Nick Markakis injury: Orioles LF out six weeks with broken left thumb

Baltimore Orioles leftfielder Nick Markakis left Saturday’s game against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning after being hit on his left hand by a C.C. Sabathia fastball.

The Orioles have not released an update on his condition, only confirming that his hand was injured.

Nick Markakis exits the game in the 5th after being hit on the hand. Lew Ford moves to RF and Nate McLouth goes to LF.—
Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) September 09, 2012

Matt Snyder of CBSSports.com writes that the ball appeared to strike Markakis near his thumb, adding, “The sound made by the HBP was so loud it sounded like the ball was hitting a bat and Markakis didn’t even attempt to talk his way into staying in the game.”

Markakis is hitting .298 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 104 games this season.

UPDATE: Richard Justice of MLB.com has the update on Markakis, and it’s not good:

Nick Markakis broken bone in thumb. Gone around six weeks pending more exam. "We lost a big part," Buck Showalter said.—
Richard Justice (@richardjustice) September 09, 2012