"Any dreams the Astros had of making a run to the playoffs in the season’s final two months took a huge blow when slugger Carlos Lee was likely lost for the season with a broken left pinky finger Saturday night.

Lee, who leads the National League with 100 RBIs, will undergo surgery Monday in Houston and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks. There are seven weeks remaining in the regular season.

“We have to suck it up and tighten our belts and go after it,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper said.

Lee was hit by a pitch thrown by Bronson Arroyo in the third inning of the Astros’ 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. He left the game immediately to be taken for X-rays.

“I knew right away it was not going to be good,” Lee said. “It hit me square. It’s a bad deal, but what can I do? They said six to eight weeks, so probably I’m out (for the season). Unless the guys make a comeback and I’ll be back for the playoffs.”

He will be placed on the disabled list today for the first time in his career, and the Astros will purchase the contract of outfielder Reggie Abercrombie from Class AAA Round Rock.

Lee has carried the team offensively in recent weeks, hitting a major-league-best .385 with 16 homers and 53 RBIs since June 8. In Friday’s game, he went 4-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs.

“I never felt this good in my career at the plate,” Lee said. “I truly believe I was going to help make a comeback, but now I’m out.”

Lee said Arroyo simply let a pitch get away, and his pinky was caught between the ball and the knob of the bat. The finger was bleeding when he removed his batting glove.

“It’s not like he was trying to hit me,” Lee said. “It was a 2-2 count, and he was trying to go up and in. I couldn’t get out of the way. I’m a hitter that attacks the ball. I don’t wait back. I saw it come and tried to get out of the way, but it was coming in pretty good.”

Cooper said Darin Erstad and perhaps Ty Wigginton will split the playing time in left field."