Broken thumb to idle Viciedo

Updated: September 24, 2012 6:25AM

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Right fielder Dayan Viciedo will miss the next three to four weeks after suffering a fractured right thumb in the Sox’ 7-6 Cactus League victory Thursday against the Texas Rangers.

Viciedo was hit by a pitch from right-hander Dave Bush in the eighth inning. He will have the thumb re-evaluated today.

‘‘You always worry about that in spring training,’’ manager Ozzie Guillen said. ‘‘Very sad day. This kid was playing well, great outfield, having fun.’’

Viciedo, who was converting to right field from third base, was having an exceptional spring. He was batting .435 and was playing a strong right field.

As well as he had played, though, his chances of making the Opening Day roster weren’t great because the Sox likely would want him playing every day at Class AAA rather than being on the bench in the majors.

Humming along

Right-hander Phil Humber is just another guy trying to win a job in camp. For the No. 3 overall pick in the 2004 draft, it’s better that way.

‘‘I signed as a minor-league free agent last year; there aren’t a whole lot of expectations that come with that,’’ said Humber, who pitched three scoreless innings in his start Thursday against the Rangers. ‘‘It was good for me. I could do my own thing and not worry what others were thinking about it. Just relax and go out and have fun.’’

Looking to fit in as a long-relief man or the fifth starter if right-hander Jake Peavy doesn’t break camp with the team, Humber threw 19 of his 26 pitches for strikes. He gave up two singles, struck out two and walked none.

‘‘He’s the only guy who has stepped it up,’’ Guillen said. ‘‘He took a big step today.’’

Humber has a career 5.26 ERA in 511/3 major-league innings with the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals. With the Royals last season, his 2-1 record and 4.15 ERA offered a trace of encouragement.

‘‘I threw a couple of good [curveballs] today,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s tough out here in Arizona to get a ball to break. Any time you see a little bit of depth, you feel good about it. Especially when you get a swing and miss.’’

Peavy on schedule

Peavy said the soreness that he felt a day after his second outing was normal for pitchers building arm strength in the early stages of camp and that he expects to take his next turn Monday against the San Diego Padres.

Peavy took issue with a San Francisco Giants webcaster who said he grimaced in pain before being taken out of the game Wednesday. Peavy told reporters his reaction was to a walk.

‘‘Nothing pain-wise,’’ he said. ‘‘Absolutely not.’’

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