HOUSTON - Shortstop Jack Wilson's right index finger, the one that was bruised by a ground ball last week is fractured, and he might not be able to return until the final week of the Pirates' season.

To his mind, he likely will not be able to play defense at all, just pinch-hit, if he returns.

"I don't think so," he said of taking the field. "This pretty much shuts down the throwing. But I am going to try to hit. That way, I can have some kind of purpose."

Doctors did not detect the fracture until after the significant swelling subsided over the weekend in San Francisco. The fracture is of the hairline variety, but it still will need to fully heal until Wilson can resume throwing or hitting.

The injury originally occurred Aug. 31 when a ball caught his bare hand.

Earlier this season, Wilson missed two months to a severely strained left calf.

"I've missed three months of the season now, so it's frustrating," Wilson said. "There's nothing I can do about it."

Manager John Russell said the playing time at shortstop will be split between Luis Cruz and Brian Bixler, but added that Cruz also could get moved about the field, as the team wants to see if he can establish himself into a super-utility player.