Valentino Rossi has broken his finger after he crashed out of Sunday's Japanese MotoGP, Ducati have confirmed.
The 32-year-old went into the gravel trap at the third corner of the Motegi circuit along with Ben Spies.
Despite the injury, the seven-time world champion is expected to race at the next meeting in Australia on October 16.
"Due to the severity of the pain and swelling in his left hand, the Italian on Tuesday underwent additional X-rays that revealed a hairline fracture at the arthrodesis of the first and second phalanx of the pinky finger on his left hand," said a team spokesman.
"Rossi's participation in the Australian Grand Prix on October 16 is not in doubt."
The Italian's last world title success came in 2009.
