FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas second baseman Carson Shaddy will miss at least one more game - and possibly more - with a hand injury.
Shaddy has been ruled out for the Razorbacks' game against Alabama on Friday at Baum Stadium. It will be the third consecutive game that Shaddy has missed since taking a pitch off his right hand in the first game of a doubleheader at Mississippi State last weekend. Shaddy had been hit by a pitch in his left hand the week before.
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn indicated Thursday that Shaddy wasn't able yet to grip a bat without pain. The fifth-year senior has been a steady presence at the bottom of the Razorbacks' order this season with a .356 average, 9 home runs and 29 RBI.
"I don't know," Van Horn said when asked if Shaddy could play this weekend against Alabama. "It's day-to-day. (The hand) is not broken; it's more about grip and pain."
When interviewed earlier this week, Shaddy said there is no timetable for his return to the lineup.
"I can't really use it that much," Shaddy said of his hand. "We'll just see. There's really no timetable. It's going to be how I feel."
Casey Martin, who missed Tuesday's game against Texas Tech with a hip injury, will start at second base in place of Shaddy on Friday against Alabama. Martin has started 35 games at third base this season but played middle infield in high school.
"Casey Martin is really a middle infielder by trade," Van Horn said. "He works out there all the time and I think it's a good way to line that infield up."
Jack Kenley will start at third base Friday. Kenley is batting .263 this year in 27 games, mostly as a late-game defensive replacement.
"Kenley deserves a chance," Van Horn said. "When he's been in the lineup he has played well."