Morgan is a hand specialist, so Reese's injury falls within his specific area of expertise. But considering the extended layoffs of Nomar Garciaparra (Achilles' tendon) and Trot Nixon (back, quadriceps) after injuries that also weren't expected to sideline them so long, some skepticism regarding Reese's imminent return may be warranted.
Morgan said surgery will not be necessary.
"We can treat it nonsurgically," he said. "We can give him a few days, let the acute swelling come down, make sure his motion is good, and then we'll just work on protective mechanisms like taping, maybe partial splinting in his glove, and taping while he hits so that we can protect it for the next 4-6 weeks so that he doesn't reinjure it."
Morgan, saying he would be "surprised if he missed a week," gave that upbeat prognosis while acknowledging that the injury was in the same place in which Reese tore the ligament last season, while stealing second base. On that occasion, he did have surgery.
"It's the same area that was already fixed surgically," Morgan said, "but the fixation is still intact. The ligament is still where it's supposed to be. This kind of ligament, if it ruptures, will tend to migrate, and that's why it becomes a surgical problem. With Pokey, it's in a good position right now."
Reese, who was injured in the top of the second inning while smothering Luis Rivas's infield hit up the middle, fielded the last out of the second inning before retreating to the dugout runway in pain. He underwent X-rays at the ballpark that were negative, then was taken to St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton, where an MRI showed the partial tear of the ligament on the inside of his thumb. He was back in the clubhouse after the game, and said he tore the ligament in his right thumb on the same play six years ago.
"This time it's not as sore," said Reese, who tore up his left thumb last season when he hooked second base with his hand after a stolen base. "Last time, I felt a burning sensation. I'm not that concerned because the doctor looked at it and it's probably just a sprain."
