After 16-year wait to reach big leagues, Dodgers’ John Lindsey suffers broken hand

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

John Lindsey can now truly say he knows what big-league pitching feels like.

Lindsey, who labored in the minor leagues for 16 years until the Dodgers finally called him up this month, sustained a broken left hand Saturday night in the Dodgers’ 5-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Making only his second major-league start, the first baseman was struck by a pitch thrown by Arizona starter Daniel Hudson in the seventh inning.

‘Very sad for as long as he waited for this opportunity and have to swallow this pill,’ Dodgers Manager Joe Torre said of Lindsey, 33. But Torre added that ‘this kid is certainly not going to let that take away from fighting his way back again next year.’

Indeed, Lindsey -- wearing a splint and bandage on the hand after the game -- said he planned to be at spring training again next season. ‘I still got to lean on my faith,’ he said. ‘There’s a reason for it.’

--Jim Peltz in Phoenix