California’s OAKLAND (AP) — Josh Jung, a third baseman for the Texas Rangers, will undergo surgery this week after breaking his left thumb during Sunday’s 6-0 victory over Miami at home. However, manager Bruce Bochy is still optimistic that Jung will be able to play again this year.

Specialist Dr. Donald Sheridan evaluated Jung in Arizona and found that surgery was necessary to fix the damage at the base of his thumb. He will probably be out of work for at least six weeks after the procedure, which is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday.

Bochy added, “I feel bad for him. He was simply having a fantastic year. He too had a problem with workload, load management, and how much you could manipulate him. Considering that he had never had a season like this one, he was playing some of his greatest baseball at the time. This guy was still going and swinging the bat beautifully while playing excellent third base. He also had a ton of energy. So I feel bad for him. I am, truly. And also for us. Josh Jung is a person you will miss.

Jung, who is 25 years old, is striking.He entered the season hitting.274 with 22 home runs and 67 RBIs in 109 games, placing him in the running for AL Rookie of the Year. The Rangers promoted infielder Jonathan Ornelas from Triple-A Round Rock and put him on the 10-day disabled list.

Texas led Houston by two and a half games heading into the night in the AL West.

With runners on first and second and no one out in Sunday’s top of the sixth inning, Jung was hurt on an odd play. Jorge Soler smacked a powerful line drive at Jung at 110 mph. He caught the ball as it bounced out of his glove and began a double play by tagging the bag and tossing it to second.

Then Jung left the contest.

“I went out to the mound; I had no idea he got hurt on that play,” Bochy remarked. “The composure he displayed picking up the ball and stepping on third… he didn’t grimace; he did nothing to give us the impression that he was injured.”