The Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. - Chicago White Sox designated hitter Frank Thomas is expected to miss eight weeks with a broken bone in his left foot.

Thomas was placed on the disabled list last Saturday with inflammation in his ankle, but an MRI taken in Las Vegas this week revealed a stress fracture in his foot, the team said Friday.

No surgery will be necessary, but Dr. Lowell Weil, Chicago's team podiatrist, recommended immobilizing Thomas' foot. Thomas will undergo additional tests in four weeks.

The injury was first noticed when the two-time AL MVP was unable to start at first base during an interleague series against the Chicago Cubs earlier this month.

He's hitting .271 with 18 homers and 49 RBIs this season. It's the second major injury blow to Chicago's offense this season, coming shortly after Magglio Ordonez returned from a 36-game absence with torn cartilage in his left knee.

Thomas is sixth among active players with 436 career homers.