MLB roundup: Giants' Sandoval out 4-6 weeks with broken hand

San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a broken hamate bone in his left hand.

Sandoval believes he hurt the wrist Sunday, manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. He came to work Tuesday after a day off and reported soreness in the hand.

An X-ray Tuesday didn't reveal the break, but Sandoval then underwent an MRI exam and CT scan that revealed the fracture. He's scheduled to have surgery Friday at Stanford.

"Tough news for us and Pablo," Bochy told reporters. "I feel for him, particularly the way he has been playing and swinging the bat. You just don't replace a bat like Pablo's. There are few guys in Major League Baseball who can do the things he can do with the bat."

Sandoval is hitting .316 and his five home runs, 14 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

Sandoval thanked fans for the support via his Twitter account.

Conor Gillaspie was called up from Triple-A Fresno to replace Sandoval.

---The Chicago Cubs activated right-handed pitchers Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood from the 15-day disabled list Thursday, while sending pitchers Scott Maine and Randy Wells to Triple-A Iowa.

Dempster, who turned 35 Thursday, will start against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. He is 0-1 with a 1.33 ERA in three starts this season. He missed time with a strained right quad.

Wood, 34, was out with right shoulder fatigue. He is 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA in four relief appearances this season.

---The baseball that trickled through Bill Buckner's legs in Game 6 of 1986 World Series is hitting the auction block.

The ball, hit by the New York Mets' Mookie Wilson to end one of the most talked-about comebacks in World Series history, will be included in an auction Friday in Dallas. Heritage Auctions said the ball is expected to net more than $100,000 as the centerpiece of an auction featuring baseball memorabilia collected by Los Angeles songwriter Seth Swirsky.