D'Backs' Womack Out 6 Weeks

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Tony Womack, acquired by the club during the last week of February, will be sidelined for six weeks after fracturing a bone in his right forearm.

Womack apparently suffered the injury when he was hit by Chicago White Sox pitcher Jim Parque during an exhibition game in Tucson. He had recorded two hits in five spring training at-bats with no stolen bases.

The 29-year-old Womack batted .282 with a league-leading 58 stolen bases to go with three homers and 45 RBI last year while playing second base for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was being converted to the outfield by Arizona due to a glut of middle infielders.

Womack, who played center field the last five games of the 1998 season for Pittsburgh, likely will compete with Luis Gonzalez and Bernard Gilkey for a job in right or left field next to Steve Finley.

In 351 career games, Womack has hit .278 with nine homers, 103 RBI and 122 stolen bases.

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