Atlanta Braves third baseman Chris Johnson will miss three to six weeks while recovering from a hand injury that he initially wasn't aware of.
Johnson was diagnosed with a fractured left hand after undergoing X-rays following Thursday's loss to Cincinnati. A follow-up MRI on Friday revealed that the fracture was a preexisting injury and that Johnson suffered bone bruises around the area in Thursday's game.
The 30-year-old Johnson told reporters that he does not know how he suffered the initial fracture.
"It's just something old," Johnson said. "I don't know when it happened. I'm just a tough dude."
Johnson aggravated the hand injury on a head-first slide into second base Thursday. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list to create a roster spot for starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz, who recorded the win Friday in his season debut.
Johnson will wear a hard splint on his hand for at least a week and will be re-evaluated by the Braves medical staff two weeks later. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said the Braves will rotate Alberto Callaspo, Kelly Johnson and Phil Gosselin at third base during Johnson's absence.
Johnson is batting .279 with no home runs and five RBIs in 16 games this season.