31.   He practiced Sunday, but after the swelling went down Monday, doctors realized the thumb had been broken.

32.   His thumb was broken, and he felt blood ooze out in the dark.

33.   Now that the thumb is fine, Burnett hopes to give the surprising Marlins a boost down the stretch.

34.   The NL Championship Series has become a war zone for the New York Mets catcher, whose left thumb already was hurting after the opening round of the playoffs.

35.   His left thumb was broken when it was stepped on when Mirer tried to make a tackle after throwing an interception.

36.   Cruthers had to have eight stiches after his thumb was split open during a warm-up match against a German student team on Thursday night.

37.   The thumb was first injured three weeks ago during training.