A look at other notable broken metacarpals in recent years

Manu Ginobili’s broken fifth metacarpal on his shooting hand has placed the Spurs in a tenuous position for the next several weeks.

Spurs assistant coach Don Newman said on the Spurs’ post-game show that Ginobili could be lost between four to six weeks. An official determination will be made after an examination and X-rays with team doctors in San Antonio on Tuesday of his injury, which is known as a “boxer’s fracture.”

Ginobili’s injury is rare, but has popped up several times in recent seasons. Here’s a look at some of the more notable broken metacarpals of recent sports history.

2010 — Chicago forward Carlos Boozer sustained a broken fifth metacarpal on his right hand when he said he tripped over a gym bag while working out before the season started. He missed all of the preseason and the Bulls’ first 15 games of the season. 

2009 — Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Eric Byrnes sustained a broken fifth metacarpal on his left hand when he was struck by a pitch by Scott Feldman. He was out of action for 63 games, missing more than two months. 

2009 — Atlanta Braves outfielder Omar Infante sustained a broken fifth metacarpal on his left hand when he was struck by a pitch by Manny Corpas. He missed 73 games and was out of the lineup for nearly three months.

2004 — Oakland A’s third baseman Eric Chavez sustained a broken fifth metacarpal  on his right hand after getting hit by a pitch from Damaso Marte. He missed 33 games over about six weeks.

2002 — Hall of Fame power forward Karl Malone broke the fifth metacarpal on his right hand while playing with the Utah Jazz. He didn’t realize the severity of the injury and kept playing.

1995 — Boxer Floyd Mayweather sustained a broken fifth metacarpal at the 1995 World Amateur Championships.