The Colorado Rockies' minor league system could be without outfielder Tim Wheeler for up to a month following an injury to the hamate bone in his right wrist, an injury that occurred on Thursday. He will have surgery to fix the injury.

Wheeler moved up to the Triple-A level for 2012 and was hitting .200/.375/.280 through eight games for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. In 2011, Wheeler had a breakout year with 33 home runs (second in the minors) and a .900 OPS at the Double-A level for the Tulsa Drillers. He also stole 21 bases that year.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound center fielder has raised concerns over the years about his ability to play center and will likely move to a corner spot when he makes the majors. If he can come back strong from this injury, a late season call-up isn't out of the question. Still, he'll need to hit lefties to be more than a bench player in the majors.