Rangers' Baker goes on DL with sprained thumb suffered in high-five

Jeff Baker and third-base coach Gary Pettis demonstrate proper hand-slapping technique. (AP) To the ridiculously long list of bizarre baseball injuries, we

Jeff Baker and third-base coach Gary Pettis demonstrate proper hand-slapping technique. (AP)

To the ridiculously long list of bizarre baseball injuries, we can now add another, this one with a twist of mystery: Rangers infielder Jeff Baker is going on the disabled list with a sprained thumb that he suffered on a high-five from an unknown teammate before a game.

If that sounds somewhat hard to believe, remember that this is the same sport that brought you a player cutting his hand while washing dishes (Ian Kennedy), another causing a serious spleen injury while shoveling (Carl Pavano) and a star who hurt his neck while toweling off (David Price). And those were just pitchers in the past 16 months.

In the meantime,  a little sympathy is in order for Baker, a nine-year journeyman who was having a fine season in a reserve role for the Rangers, batting .317 with nine home runs. The injury happened on June 13 but Baker has yet to identify the culprit. The Dallas Morning News' reported that Baker said his thumb bent all the way back to the wrist as a result of what he called "an over-exuberant high-five."

GALLERY: Baseball's most bizarre injuries