ST. LOUIS (AP) -Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit will be sidelined at least a month after breaking his left thumb on a passed ball.

Doumit was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday after an examination in Pittsburgh, confirmed the break. Surgery will not be necessary for the team's top offensive player in the early part of the season.

The injury was not a big shock to manager John Russell, a former catcher who considers such injuries an occupational hazard at that position.

``It happens,'' Russell said. ``You don't know why it happens. It's just one of those freak things that happens.''

The switch-hitter is batting .350 with five homers and 15 RBIs and had settled in the cleanup spot. Backup Ronny Paulino, the regular last year while making a career-high 119 starts, slides into the starting spot.

``We'll miss Ryan dearly,'' Russell said. ``But those guys out there know what we have to do to continue to develop and get better.''

Doumit was hurt Tuesday night muffing a high strike in the first inning of an 8-4 win in 10 innings over St. Louis. Russell said Doumit and pitcher Phil Dumatrait might have crossed signals on the pitch.

``The pitch was just pretty far off where he was expecting it and he had to really reach for it,'' Russell said.

The Pirates purchased the contract of 35-year-old catcher Raul Chavez from Triple-A Indianapolis. He was batting .306 in the minors with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 26 games.

``He's a good catcher, receives the ball nice and has a good arm,'' Russell said. ``I thought he swung the bat pretty well in spring training and it looked like he was swinging the bat pretty well in Indianapolis.''

Paulino was batting .224 with 13 RBIs in 20 games, and had two critical hits in Tuesday's victory, a game-tying RBI double in the seventh and the go-ahead RBI single in the 10th.

``Ronny's used to catching every day, so I don't think we're going to miss much from that aspect,'' Russell said. ``He's been an everyday catcher before, and the great thing about Ronny is he's continued to work.

``We've talked about him being as ready as he can and he's really done that, so I don't think it's going to be a big step for him.''

Jason Bay started in the cleanup spot on Wednesday against Cardinals right-hander Todd Wellemeyer, and Russell said he also could use Xavier Nady or Adam LaRoche there.

``I feel like we have some candidates,'' Russell said. ``I just like the balance of our lineup when Ryan is there. We'll piece it together.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.