Broken Hamate: Baseball's Rising Hand Injury

What Hitters Need to Know About the Increasing Prevalence of Hamate Fractures

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:50am

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As Major League Baseball prepares for opening day, a growing number of players are facing a sidelining injury: a fracture to the hamate bone in the hand. The increase in these injuries, many occurring during spring training, is prompting concern among medical professionals and teams.

Why it matters

The increasing prevalence of this injury highlights the physical demands placed on professional athletes and the potential trade-offs between power and injury risk in modern baseball. Beyond the pros, hamate injuries are also affecting high school and college players as awareness of the issue grows.

The details

The hamate is a bone located in the palm of the hand, positioned about a centimeter down and in from a bone near the wrist crease. According to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas DiLiberti, changes in batting techniques, such as holding the bat further down the handle to increase bat speed, are contributing to the rise in hamate fractures. This positioning places the 'knob end' of the bat directly over the hamate bone, and the torque from hitting the ball can cause the bone to snap.

  • As Major League Baseball prepares for opening day in 2026.

The players

Dr. Thomas DiLiberti

A Dallas-based orthopedic surgeon who has treated dozens of baseball players with broken hamate bones.

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What they’re saying

“The increasing prevalence of this injury highlights the physical demands placed on professional athletes and the potential trade-offs between power and injury risk in modern baseball.”

— Dr. Thomas DiLiberti, Orthopedic Surgeon

What’s next

As baseball continues to evolve, teams and players will need to find ways to mitigate the risk of hamate injuries even as they pursue greater power at the plate.

The takeaway

This case study of the rising prevalence of hamate fractures in baseball underscores the need for ongoing research and innovation to protect players' health and performance as the sport continues to evolve.