Mariners place Mike Zunino on disabled list

Mike Zunino will miss six weeks after fracturing a bone in his left hand. (Michael Zagaris/Getty Images)

The Seattle Mariners have placed Mike Zunino on the disabled list after the rookie catcher suffered a fractured hamate bone in his left hand.

The No. 3 overall pick of the 2012 draft out of Florida will need surgery and is expected to miss about six weeks, which projects to a return in mid-September after a Minor League rehab assignment.

Zunino made his Major League debut June 12. After his batting average dropped to .200 in early July, Zunino began showing signs of steady improvement. In his last 10 games he has a .300 batting average with five RBI.