UNIVERSITY PARK — The Auburn series exerted a physical toll on the State College Spikes.
Corner outfielder Jose Hernandez learned Friday he will miss four to six weeks with a fractured left foot while shortstop Andy Vasquez missed his second straight game with shin splints.
Hernandez, a 23rd-round pick from Texas-San Antonio, fractured the foot popping up a pitch to first base during Thursday’s ninth inning. Hernandez hobbled off the field with trainer Mike Zalno and the foot was placed in a boot Friday.
“It’s not good news for us,” manager Gary Robinson said. “I just hate it for him.”
Hernandez said he initially sustained the injury when a fastball hit the foot last week at Mahoning Valley. Hernandez, a corner outfielder, was hitting .263 through eight professional games.
“It’s really frustrating,” he said before Friday’s series finale. “I was really amped to get here, it was my first year here and it happened, I’m just going to get treatment and stay with it.”
Vasquez, 21, started 10 of the first 12 games at shortstop before suffering shin splints. Robinson said Vasquez could return to the lineup as early as today against Williamsport.
“It’s just safer that he sits a day or two,” Robinson said.
Brock Holt started at shortstop the past two games. Holt, a ninth-round pick from Rice, started his professional career at second base. He will move back to second when Vasquez returns from his injury.
Holt played shortstop his last two years of high school and both of his seasons at Navarro (Texas) High School. Holt moved to second when he arrived at Rice.
Robinson asked Holt if he could play shortstop an hour before Thursday’s game. Holt provided an emphatic answer.
“I like shortstop a lot,” Holt said. “I was excited to go back and play over there.”
Ty Summerlin, a 30th-round pick from Southeastern Louisiana, played second base Thursday and Friday.
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