HOUSTON (Ticker) -- No matter what time of year, the Houston Astros cannot avoid the injury bug.

Third baseman Ken Caminiti sustained three fractures in his lower back Wednesday after falling from a deer stand during a hunting trip in Laredo, Texas.

According to Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker, the injury will not require surgery and is not considered serious. Caminiti, 36, is expected to be sidelined up to eight weeks.

The 1996 National League MVP was hospitalized at the Mercy Health Center in Laredo on Wednesday and was transferred to The Methodist Hospital in Houston, where he will stay at least through today.

Caminiti was one of several Astros to miss considerable time during the 1999 season, missing 79 games due to a calf injury. First baseman Jeff Bagwell and second baseman Craig Biggio were the only regulars to avoid the bug.

All-Star left fielder Moises Alou missed the entire year after blowing out his knee in a preseason workout. Closer Billy Wagner closed the season with an elbow ailment.

Also pitching injured was righthander Scott Elarton, who underwent shoulder surgery Thursday to repair a stretched rotator cuff and ligaments. The injury was diagnosed on Tuesday.

Elarton, 23, is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for spring training. He went 9-5 with a save and a 3.48 ERA in 43 games, including 15 starts.

Caminiti, a three-time All-Star, finished the year batting .286 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI. He went to the World Series with the San Diego Padres in 1998 before signing a two-year, $9.5 million deal to return to Houston.

Despite the rash of injuries, the Astros won the National League Central Division with a 97-65 mark. They lost a Division Series in four games to Atlanta.