updated 7:36 p.m. ET May 25, 2005

BALTIMORE - Orioles catcher Javy Lopez was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday and is expected to miss at least six weeks because of a broken bone in his right hand.

Lopez fractured the fifth metacarpal bone when struck by a foul tip in Tuesday’s game against Seattle. He will have a metal plate and screws inserted into his hand by Dr. Mark Deitch during surgery Thursday.

“It’s going to be at least six weeks before I start doing some activities,” said Lopez, who was hitting .278 with seven homers and 22 RBIs.

Richie Bancels, the Orioles’ head trainer, said Lopez opted for surgery over allowing the injury to heal without it because he will be able to assume baseball activities three weeks earlier.

“The advantage is putting the plate in — to allow better, quicker healing and so he can do more sooner,” Bancels said.

Lopez, who wore a fiberglass splint Wednesday, said he will be able to work on conditioning while recovering and will begin motion exercises and therapy in three weeks. In six weeks, he will be able to resume throwing and hitting.

With Lopez out, the Orioles will turn to Geronimo Gil and Sal Fasano to catch.

Fasano, who was designated for assignment Tuesday when the Orioles activated outfielder Sammy Sosa from the disabled list, took an unusual route to rejoin the team.

Fasano had to clear waivers and decline an outright assignment to Triple-A Ottawa. That made him a free agent. Fasano then signed a new contract with Baltimore.

“They’re both defensive catchers, so I’m going to have to mix and match,” manager Lee Mazzilli said. “We’ll just play the card that’s hot.”

Shortstop Miguel Tejada, who watched the team go 9-7 without Sosa in the lineup, said the Orioles will have to adapt without Lopez.

“You have to keep everybody up,” Tejada said. “Somebody’s got to step up. Somebody’s got to do the job.”

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