Curtis Mead's early exit from his debut Monday with the Boston Red Sox was accompanied by worse news a day later -- a broken left wrist.
A follow-up test Tuesday on the newly acquired infielder revealed the fracture, and Mead will land on the injured list for an indefinite stay.
"It kind of doesn't feel real," Mead told reporters Tuesday in West Sacramento, California, ahead of Boston's game against the Athletics.
Mead added that he will return to Boston on Tuesday night and meet with a hand specialist Wednesday, at which point a timetable for his potential return -- and whether he needs surgery -- will be determined.
Either way, it's a significant blow to baseball's hottest team, which got aggressive ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline and sent young left-hander Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals over the weekend in exchange for the type of bat the Boston lineup has yearned for all season.
Mead joined the Red Sox on Sunday, flew out with the team to California that night and made his debut with Boston for the series opener Monday against the Athletics.
He struck out in his first at-bat, then was hit on the left wrist by Athletics starter Jack Perkins in the fourth inning, leading to his exit.
The Red Sox initially said Mead suffered a left wrist contusion and that X-rays were negative, with interim manager Chad Tracy Jr. adding: "[It] looks like we dodged a bullet, maybe."
But Mead underwent more tests Tuesday, and an MRI revealed the significant injury.
Mead is hitting .253 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs this season.
Nick Sogard reportedly was set to be recalled from Triple-A Worcester in the corresponding roster move.