Tavarez breaks hand punching phone in rage

The right-hander was not available for Monday's game but will probably pitch later in series.

By Ben Walker ~ The Associated Press

HOUSTON -- St. Louis righty Julian Tavarez broke his left hand during a dugout tantrum in Game 4 of the NL championship series, and it was uncertain Monday when the reliever would pitch again.

The excitable Tavarez tried to trash the bench shortly after giving up a tiebreaking home run to Carlos Beltran in the seventh inning of Houston's 6-5 win Sunday.

Before Game 5, the Cardinals said Tavarez fractured the fourth finger and bones in his left hand. He declined to comment.

"He punched the phone, so that's when it happened," manager Tony La Russa said. "I don't know if he'll pitch tonight, but he'll pitch in the series."

Tavarez became the second prominent pitcher to recently hurt himself in a fit of anger. Yankees righty Kevin Brown broke his left hand when he punched a clubhouse wall in early September, and did not pitch much before the playoffs.

The Cardinals and Astros were tied at 2 going into Monday night's game, and La Russa hoped to have Tavarez back soon.

Tavarez's hand was placed in a soft, plastic splint with his last two fingers immobilized. He tested it inside his glove during batting practice, catching some tosses in the outfield.

Tavarez was 7-4 with four saves and a 2.38 ERA in 77 games during the regular season. He is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in five games during this postseason.

La Russa asked the Cardinals' medical staff how it was possible Tavarez might recover so soon when Brown missed a lot of time.

"I got the explanation: He had a pin inserted and had some kind of cast or big splint that would have made it impossible for him to function," La Russa said.