Cubs' Soriano placed on disabled list

CHICAGO, June 12 (UPI) -- Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano has been placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a fractured finger on his left hand.

Soriano was hit by a pitch from Atlanta's Jeff Bennett during Wednesday's game. X-rays indicated a fracture of his left metacarpal. Cubs officials said the outfielder could be sidelined six weeks.

Soriano, among the three leaders in voting for starting outfield positions on the National League All-Star team, is hitting .283 with 15 home runs and 40 runs batted in this season.

Chicago also optioned pitcher Kevin Hart, who was 2-1 with a 6.62 earned run average with the Cubs, to Triple-A Iowa.

To fill the roster spots, infielders Micah Hoffpauir and Eric Patterson were recalled from Iowa.