Hoskins (thumb ligament) to be sidelined roughly six weeks

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers are aiming for a mid-to-late-August return for first baseman Rhys Hoskins after medical imaging revealed a Grade 2 sprain of a ligament in his left thumb.

Hoskins was injured making a swipe tag at first base in Saturday’s game against the Marlins in Miami and was relieved when X-rays came back negative. An MRI scan the following day, however, revealed structural damage to the UCL in his thumb along with a bone bruise.

“I was told about six weeks,” he said Tuesday as the Brewers continued their series against the Dodgers at American Family Field. “Some are eight, some are four. So I think pretty conservative is at that six-week mark, so that’s what I’m going to have in my head as when I can hopefully rejoin this team.”

The Brewers called up recently-acquired former White Sox slugger Andrew Vaughn to take Hoskins’ spot on the roster. Vaughn delivered a three-run homer in his first at-bat, part of a five-run first inning in Monday’s 9-1 win over the Dodgers. A right-handed hitter, Vaughn will split time with left-handed hitting Jake Bauers for the time being.

Hoskins wore a splint Tuesday and expects to do so for several weeks before resuming activities. He’s hitting .242/.340/.428 with 12 home runs in 82 games this season, his second year with the Brewers.

“Every time you don’t get to be on the field, it’s disappointing,” he said. “The length of this makes it more disappointing, but it seems like we’re finding our footing as a group and playing some really good baseball. We’re going to be playing some good teams in the next month or so, so I’m bummed not to be out there with these guys competing for our goal.”

Hoskins will focus on getting back for the stretch run.

“There’s still baseball to be played this year,” Hoskins said.