Pirates catcher Luke Maile underwent surgery to repair a fractured right finger Friday, putting his chances of playing this season in serious jeopardy.
He is projected to return to resume what the team called "competitive baseball activities" in 10-12 weeks. Because of the shortened length of the season, that could potentially mean he will miss the 2020 campaign.
He suffered the injury after being hit in the hand with a pitch during Thursday's intrasquad game.
Maile, 29, signed this offseason to compete for the backup catcher job with John Ryan Murphy, though he was seen as the favorite since he was on the 40-man roster.