General manager John Schuerholz said Thomson sustained a rare injury to his right middle finger in Monday night's game at San Diego.
While the initial diagnosis was a strained tendon flexor, the Braves worried it was much worse. An MRI confirmed their fears, showing the right-hander actually has a partial tear to the supporting structure around the tendon.
Surgery won't be required, but it will be at least a month before Thomson can pick up a baseball to begin his rehabilitation.
``The prognosis is he will miss two to three months,'' Schuerholz said. ``Of course, that's devastating news for John, first off, and for us as well.''
Thomson said he felt a pop in his finger as he threw a pitch and a sharp pain that caused him to hop off the mound holding his hand.
The right-hander is 11-3 with a 2.78 ERA in 24 starts since early July. In eight starts this season, Thomson is 3-2 with a 3.42 ERA.
The Braves already called up reliever Matt Childers from Triple-A Richmond of the International League, but they haven't decided who will take Thomson's spot in the rotation. Schuerholz said an announcement would be made Friday before the start of a three-game series at Boston.
The Braves were swept in a three-game set at San Diego but still led the NL East by a half-game over Florida.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2005/5/134561