This spring training, Major League Baseball has already seen several key players sidelined due to hamate bone injuries, including Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets, and Jackson Holliday of the Baltimore Orioles. While Lindor and Carroll are expected to recover in time for Opening Day, Holliday’s return is anticipated to take several weeks after the season begins, as stated by Orioles’ president of baseball operations Mike Elias.
Understanding the Nature of the Hamate Injury in Sports
The hamate bone injury is often associated with baseball players, but it is not exclusive to the sport. Athletes in golf and hockey have also suffered from it; for example, golfer Bryson DeChambeau missed two months in 2022 due to a similar fracture. The injury typically occurs because of direct impact on the hook of the hamate, a prominent part of the wrist bone. An orthopedic specialist explained,
“This injury is unique in that it only really occurs with a direct blow over the most prominent part of the hamate bone, known as the hook of the hamate,”
Dr. Rodney Benner said. He went on to add that the injury often results when the end of a bat, golf club, or hockey stick hits that specific area, as with check swings in baseball where the knob of the bat jams the hamate bone.
Can Hamate Injuries Be Prevented?
When it comes to preventing these injuries, options are limited. Protective pads can be worn over the hook of the hamate to cushion the area, but their effectiveness is not guaranteed. Dr. Benner clarified,
“There are pads that can be worn over the hook of the hamate to try and cushion the area,”
“Unfortunately fractures of the hamate can still happen.”
Given these limitations, players remain vulnerable despite protective attempts.
Return to Play and Impact on Performance Post-Surgery
There has been concern historically that players recovering from a broken hamate bone might experience a decline in power hitting. However, an analysis of major league players over the past decade does not support this fear decisively. Statistical samples from athletes like Francisco Cervelli, Mark Reynolds, José Ramírez, Tommy Pham, Aristides Aquino, and Mike Trout show varied but largely positive outcomes after surgery, including some cases of improved or maintained slugging performance upon their return.
For instance, in 2016 Francisco Cervelli’s slugging percentage increased after his injury, and José Ramírez homered multiple times immediately after returning from his hamate injury. While Mike Trout re-injured himself shortly after his 2023 comeback, he started the 2024 season strong with six home runs in his first 11 games. Nevertheless, some players may experience lingering difficulties during recovery, such as mild strength loss or tenderness in the affected area.
Concerns About Preventative Surgeries and Recurring Injuries
There is ongoing discussion within baseball circles about whether players might seek preventative hamate surgeries without having an acute injury, similar to debates over preemptive Tommy John surgeries among youth pitchers. However, Dr. Benner emphasized that no consensus exists on removing the hook of the hamate as a preventative measure. He noted,
“I am not aware of anyone advocating for removing the hook of the hamate to prevent injury in an athlete that does not have pain or other symptoms associated with it,”
Chronic pain from repetitive trauma, not just a single injury, can also affect this area in athletes, sometimes requiring surgery. The typical surgical approach involves excising the hook of the hamate rather than attempting fixation, due to common failures in healing. This approach generally allows for a return to play within six to eight weeks, although complications such as tenderness or nerve issues near the ulnar nerve may occur.
A notable example is former All-Star Andrew Benintendi, who underwent hamate bone removal after a college injury but reportedly suffered a re-fracture in 2022, raising questions about bone regeneration or incomplete excision.
Why Hamate Injuries Are Likely to Persist in Baseball
As players get stronger and pitchers throw faster, the intense forces involved when swinging a bat increase the risk of hamate fractures. Given this reality, it is expected that hamate injuries will continue to appear frequently in professional baseball. On the upside, the surgery to address this injury is relatively straightforward, and athletes often return to their previous form quickly. Fans will be watching closely to see how Corbin Carroll, Francisco Lindor, and Jackson Holliday recover as the season progresses.
