The D-backs will be without the services of first-base coach Dave McKay for at least a short period of time after he suffered a broken rib and lacerated spleen.

McKay tripped in the visitor's dugout at Scottsdale Stadium and fell into one of the metal railings on Monday when the D-backs were playing the Giants. Typical of the stoic McKay, he did not complain about any discomfort at the time.

In fact, McKay was back at work Tuesday without complaint -- but by the time he reported to the complex on Wednesday, it was apparent that something was wrong.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said that McKay had a procedure to cauterize the spleen and is expected to leave the hospital Friday.

"It's going to probably be a week, at least, before we see him active at camp," Lovullo said. "But he's OK and this is just all precautionary. He'll be ready for the season. And in true Dave form, when he was calling to tell me that he was not feeling so well and he was going to need to have a procedure, he said, 'I probably will [not] make the game tonight, but I'll be ready tomorrow.' That's his mindset."

McKay is extremely popular in Arizona's clubhouse not just for his pleasant personality -- the players regard him as an expert at baserunning and outfield defense.

They also marvel at his level of fitness as McKay, who turns 71 on Sunday, follows a strict diet and workout regimen that has him looking decades younger.

"He's a trooper," shortstop Nick Ahmed said of McKay. "He takes care of himself super well and we know he's going to bounce back great. But for me, as someone who takes care of my health and enjoys that aspect of life, he's kind of like up on a pedestal. So I'm chasing David. I'm trying to be better than he is at [age] 70. So, we'll see what happens. I got a bunch of years to go, but our birthdays are pretty close, so we talked about it quite a bit here."

In McKay's absence, Gil Velazquez, who is the organization's infield coordinator, has taken over the first-base coaching duties.