MIAMI — For the second year in a row, Giancarlo Stanton’s chances of winning the major league home run title have been hurt by an injury.

The Miami Marlins’ slugger has a broken left hand that is expected to sideline him four to six weeks, a person familiar with the situation said Saturday. The person confirmed the injury to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced X-ray results.

Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton broke his left hand swinging a bat Friday night against the Dodgers. He is expected to be out four to six weeks. The Associated Press

Stanton, who hurt himself swinging the bat Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, said the injury became worse as the game progressed.

Stanton leads the majors with 27 homers and 67 RB. Last year he was in the thick of the home run race when a beaning ended his season Sept. 11, and he finished tied for second in the majors with 37 homers.

The latest injury means Stanton will miss the All-Star Game, and it’s a big blow to a team that lost its fifth game in a row Friday to fall a season-worst 15 games below .500.

Stanton has 12 homers in June, tying the franchise record for any month. Despite his power surge, the Marlins had been woeful lately, batting .201 and averaging two runs a game over the past nine games through Friday.

His injury comes as the team anticipates the return Thursday of ace Jose Fernandez, who has been sidelined more than a year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Stanton signed a record $325 million, 13-year contract last November. At age 25 he has 181 career homers, but because of injuries has never played more than 150 games in a season.

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