Brandon Phillips Will Have Surgery On Friday

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Reds' second baseman Brandon Phillips is expected to miss six weeks after he has surgery on Friday to repair torn ligaments in his left thumb. is expected to miss six weeks.

Phillips injured his thumb diving for a ground ball in the eighth inning Wednesday night and an MRI Thursday morning revealed torn ligaments in his left thumb. The Reds' former Gold Glove secondbaseman was hitting 272 at the time of the injury.

"It is a big blow. Brandon is a big two-way player. He has hit in the middle of the order most of the year. Defensively, he has been spectacular. It is a blow but we'll weather it," Reds manager Bryan Price said.

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Phillips was moved to the third spot from the second spot in the batting order when Votto missed 15 days earlier in May.

The 32-year old former All-Star was hitting .272 with seven home runs and 40 RBI in 86 games.

The Reds purchased the contract of infielder Kristopher Negron from Triple A Louisville earlier in the day before they got the results of Phillips MRI.

"We'll use Ramon Santiago there," Price said. "Skip Schumaker will play there and all over the place."

The team placed former MVP Joey Votto on the disabled list earlier in the week with soreness in his left thigh.

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The Reds lead the major leagues in defense with the fewest errors in the Major Leagues, 37. Phillips made just one error in 378 total chances, which is fifth in the National League.

Zack Cozart, the Reds' shortstop, will be affected most by Phillips absence.

"It is going to be tough for our team," Cozart said. "Brandon and I work well together up the middle. Injuries happen. Joey's (Votto) hurt. We have to figure out a way to win."