Vero Beach, FL -- (Sports Network) - Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Andy LaRoche will miss eight to 10 weeks after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb.

LaRoche, 24, suffered the injury in the fifth inning of Friday's spring training game against St. Louis on an attempted pickoff from catcher Danny Ardoin. Playing at third base, LaRoche was hit by the ball on the throwing hand after it deflected off the runner.

LaRoche will undergo surgery, and miss significant time. Moreover, it temporarily ends the competition for the Dodgers' starting third baseman.

LaRoche, who played in 35 games with Los Angeles last season in his major league debut, was competing with Nomar Garciaparra for the job. Incidentally, Garciaparra was hit by a pitch on the wrist earlier in the game and left, though X-rays were negative. With LaRoche out, Garciaparra will take the spot at third base.