PHOENIX -- The losses mount for the Florida Marlins -- not just in the standings, but in the pitching rotation.

	Redman

Florida lost a starter for the second time in a week when left-hander Mark Redman was sidelined by a broken thumb on his pitching hand. X-rays revealed the injury Wednesday, and Redman is expected to be sidelined two-to-four weeks.

He was hurt Tuesday, hours after ace A.J. Burnett underwent "Tommy John" surgery on his pitching elbow. Burnett is expected to be sidelined 12-to-18 months.

"I can't believe that happened to Red,'' Burnett said Thursday. "We're dropping like flies, I guess."

Redman pitched seven shutout innings to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-5 Tuesday, and he threw the final two innings after hurting his thumb when hit by a pitch trying to bunt. The severity of the injury wasn't immediately evident.

"The ball ricocheted off the bat into his thumb," general manager Larry Beinfest said. "Then he pitched the next two innings. There was a little bit of blood and the nail was affected, but not much swelling.

"He came in (Wednesday) with discoloration and a lot of swelling."

That's when X-rays revealed the bad news.

"It was such a good feeling to write that rotation down thinking it couldn't happen again, not like last year," Florida manager Jeff Torborg said.

The Marlins plan to recall Justin Wayne from Triple-A Albuquerque to start Saturday at Houston. Wayne started Monday night's 7-1 loss to Arizona and was optioned back to Albuquerque after the game.

"Hopefully, we can just keep it together for a month or six weeks until Red gets healthy," infielder Andy Fox said. "Every team has injuries so you can't use that as an excuse."

The injury is another blow to the Marlins, who began the season hoping to contend for a playoff berth for the first time since they won the 1997 World Series.

Redman (3-2 with a 2.72 ERA) had been their best pitcher of late, beating Milwaukee last week with a four-hitter and a career-high 11 strikeouts.

Redman was scheduled to see a hand specialist in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Given the Marlins' depleted pitching staff, they're hoping he can recover quickly.

"I think Red will be back quicker than people think," Torborg said. "We still have a chance to have a good team. We just have to hold the fort until Red gets back."