SAN FRANCISCO -- Nationals outfielder Lastings Milledge, who suffered a broken ring finger Monday while attempting to bunt in a game for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, had surgery Tuesday.

According to manager Manny Acta, the surgery went well and Milledge will be out six to eight weeks. Acta said Milledge had a screw and a pin inserted in his ring finger and will be able to begin baseball activities in about six weeks.

"He's a young guy and this is one of those things that you can't control. This is just one of those things that happens," Acta said. "We're are still very high on him and he's going to be back up here."

Milledge, who began the season as the Nationals' starting center fielder and leadoff hitter, was demoted after just seven games and was hitting .256 with no homers and four RBIs in 21 games with the Chiefs.

"He's going to do well. He was up here for seven games and then he went down to the Minors to work on his timing at the plate," Acta said. "Now this happens. At the end, I believe he's going to be a big part of this franchise."

Milledge has surgery on injured finger | nationals.com: News