Seattle ? Saturday night brought bad news for Manny Ramirez and the Red Sox. Sunday, it got worse.

Ramirez, who suffered a fracture of the middle joint on his left index finger in a collision with Seattle catcher Dan Wilson in the second inning of Saturday’s 3-1 loss to Seattle, was examined by team physician Bill Morgan Sunday, who estimated the Red Sox slugger would be lost to the team for “four to six weeks … at best.”

Such a timetable would have Ramirez returning to the Red Sox no earlier than mid-June, and possibly as late as early July.

Ramirez will undergo a CAT-scan today to determine if surgery is necessary. Such a procedure won’t necessarily affect the recovery time.

“The CAT-scan will more clearly define the nature of the injury,” Morgan said. “If he does require surgery and has rigid fixation with a screw or pin, he may be able to get back sooner. But bones usually take four to six weeks to heal, regardless.”

In the aftermath of the injury, some teammates speculated that because the injury was to Ramirez’s left hand, which is positioned lower on the bat and away from the pitcher, he could extend it, lessening the pressure on the joint and possibly speeding his recovery.

Until Morgan examined Ramirez Sunday, the Red Sox had hoped that Ramirez might be able to return in as little as two weeks.

The Sox will place Ramirez on the disabled list before Tuesday’s game with Oakland and call up a replacement from Pawtucket, likely to be outfielder Edgard Clemente. Clemente, however, has missed the last three Triple-A Pawtucket games because of a sore hamstring.

Outfielder Michael Coleman, who missed several games with a calf injury, is hitting below .200.

“We need an outfielder,” said manager Grady Little.

“We’ve been operating with four (before the loss of Ramirez), which seems like a minimum number, anyway. We’re going to call up the best player we’ve got. We’re not going to call up someone not doing the job.”

Regardless who is promoted from Pawtucket, the Red Sox will depend on others to help make up for Ramirez’s absence. In the short-term, that means more playing time for Rickey Henderson in left field, Ramirez’s regular position.

“We’ll see what Rickey can do for a few days,” Little said, “whether it’s a lefty or righty (pitching). We’re not etching anything in stone, but Rickey will be playing the next several days.”

Brian Daubach is sure to get some playing time in the outfield, but ultimately, the Red Sox need someone to produce runs in the cleanup spot, regardless of position. Heading into last night’s game, Ramirez led the team in homers (nine), RBI (35), total bases (76), slugging percentage (.673) and batting average with runners in scoring position (.517).

Tony Clark, obtained last winter to add additional protection for Ramirez and muscle to the lineup, has yet to contribute either. He was hitting .194 with nine RBI Sunday and hadn’t homered since Opening Day. Clark wasn’t in the lineup Sunday night as the Sox dealt with Day One without Ramirez.

Daubach, too, is capable of getting hot for stretches and could lessen the impact of Ramirez’s loss.

“One of the advantages we have is our depth,” Daubach said. “A team with a bigger payroll like we do usually has better players on the bench.”

None, however, is about to replace the highest-paid member of that payroll, whom the Sox will have to live without for at least the next month.

A trade is unlikely. Florida may be willing to deal Cliff Floyd eligible for free agency this fall sometime this season, but the Marlins’ standing atop the N.L. East precludes the Marlins from dealing him now.