Possible replacements for Alex Rodriguez

After suffering a non-displaced fracture of his left hand (fifth metacarpal), Alex Rodriguez was placed on the disabled list and will be out for an indeterminate amount of time.

It's difficult to figure out just how long it will take Rodriguez to work his way back to the Yankees, as baseball players who've broken their fifth metacarpals in recent years haven't had uniform recoveries. Eric Chavez missed 33 games in 2004. Omar Infante missed 73 games in 2009. Eric Byrnes was out of action for 63 games in 2009.

This is an injury that could make A-Rod a September reinforcement or put him out of 2012 action altogether.

With that in mind, here's a possible list of replacements for the injured slugger:

MINOR LEAGUE CALL-UP

In the short-term the Yankees' modus operandi suggests they'll likely see what they have in-house before looking to other teams' rosters. Even if Eric Chavez initially takes the day-to-day duty over, the Yankees may want to call up another player who can play third base for further security.

ALREADY ON THE MLB ROSTER:

POSSIBLE TRADES:

The injury to Rodriguez puts the Yankees in a bind. The non-waiver trade deadline is just six days away and teams will smell desperation if Brian Cashman comes calling. And it's not just the Yankees who may be in the market for a third baseman. The surprising Oakland A's are also rumored to be in search of an upgrade, so no deal will come easy. Hanley Ramirez would have been an option, but it was reported early Wednesday morning that the Dodgers had acquired him.

Note: these are names that have appeared in trade rumors. They have not necessarily been linked to the Yankees.