Mariners’ Ryon Healy out 4-6 weeks with hand injury

Mariners’ new first baseman Ryon Healy will have to put his Seattle tenure on hold, as he underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in his right hand and will be out 4-6 weeks, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Healy, who just turned 26, was acquired by the Mariners via trade in November, as part of their retooling that also saw Dee Gordon arrive from Miami. In a tough break to start spring training, the Mariners will now look to find a replacement for what has become a gaping hole at their corner infield spot.

Healy hit 25 homers in 149 games last season, while finishing with a .754 OPS. The production he is leaving behind will have to be compensated by Daniel Vogelbach, Ben Gamel or youngster Mike Ford, or some platoon of the three. Otherwise, the Mariners could seek a cheaper, short-term solution in an unsigned free agent like Lucas Duda, a power-swinging lefty who could platoon with the righty Healy when he comes back from surgery.

The Mariners could also stay put and await Healy’s return, as his 4-6 week recovery time is to return to games after that absence, according to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times.