Diamondbacks All-Star outfielder and leadoff batter A.J. Pollock suffered a right elbow fracture and will require surgery, manager Chip Hale told reporters.
Pollock was injured with a headfirst slide into home plate in a 7-4 exhibition win over the Royals on Friday. He is without a timetable for return but the team will know more on Saturday, Hale said.
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Here's what Hale had to say, along with the video of the injury.
The 28-year-old was held out of Cactus League action since March 8 because of soreness in his right elbow. It's the same elbow he fractured in spring training in 2010 that forced him to miss the entire season.
Pollock batted .315/.367/.498 with 20 homers, 76 RBIs, 39 stolen bases and 111 runs scored in a breakout season last year. Socrates Brito will likely take over for Pollock, but infielder Chris Owings, who played in center late in Friday's game, could also be an option.