Mickey Moniak injures finger on bunt attempt after big first week with Angels

Mickey Moniak is off to a hot start with the Angels but suffered another unfortunate setback late Saturday night when he was hit by a pitch on the middle finger attempting a bunt.

The kid can't catch a break.

"It's not looking good," Angels manager Phil Nevin told reporters after the game, and it was revealed Sunday that Moniak's finger is fractured.

Jean Segura had his index finger broken on a bunt attempt on May 31 and did not return until August 4. Moniak could be looking at a similar absence, which could end his 2022 season.

Moniak had been productive in his first week with the Angels. He homered in his second game with the team and was their top offensive player in Saturday's doubleheader in Seattle. He drove in the Angels' only run in Game 1 with a well-struck single off of George Kirby, then hit a two-run homer off of Chris Flexen in the nightcap. He already has more home runs in 15 plate appearances with the Angels than he did in 105 with the Phillies across three seasons.

If Moniak is forced to miss time, it would be another gut punch for 2016's top overall pick. His powerful spring training finally put him in position to make the Phillies' opening day roster and he was in line to start in center field in Game 1. Then he was struck by a pitch in the hand on the final day of spring training and his season debut was delayed until May 30.

The Phillies traded Moniak and Single A outfielder Jadiel Sanchez to the Angels at the trade deadline for Noah Syndergaard, a two-month rental. Syndergaard made his Phillies debut on Thursday against the Nationals and looked shaky, allowing four runs on 11 hits over five innings but receiving the win in a rain-shortened game.