Just when it appeared the Yankees were getting healthy and their lineup solidified, they suffered another bad break – a hairline fracture in Scott Brosius’ left hand, an injury that landed the third baseman on the 15-day DL before yesterday’s 12-2 loss to Texas at the Stadium.

No sooner did the Bombers get back DH David Justice, than they lost Brosius with a hairline fracture in his fourth metacarpal. Team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon said the injury will likely sideline Brosius 3-4 weeks.

“It’s disappointing. Things are going well, you want to be on the field and be a part of it. I was surprised and shocked,” said Brosius, standing in front of his locker with a splint on his hand.

He’d gotten hit on the hand by a Kevin Foster pitch in the sixth inning Wednesday night. He left the game an inning later, and X-rays revealed the fracture. Luis Sojo started at third yesterday and went 0-for-4.

“I’m not worried about the team’s [psyche], I’m worried about my psyche. I get a day off and I go stir crazy,” Brosius said. “You’ve got to make the best of a bad situation. It’s frustrating, [but] it’s better to happen now than in September.”

Joe Torre was vague on how the Yanks would replace Brosius, who is hitting .295 with 12 homers and 42 RBIs. A Sojo-Enrique Wilson-Clay Bellinger platoon is possible.

“We’ll look at what we can do on a day-by-day basis,” Torre said. “Any time you lose somebody who plays so well, it hurts.”

GM Brian Cashman said “right now, we’re going with what we’ve got.”