What hurts more than being booted off American Idol?

Not much, but a broken finger may be up there.

Unfortunately, season five contestant, Elliott Yamin, has now suffered through both experiences. The number-three finisher this past season is recovering from an hour's worth of surgery last week after breaking his pinky finger on his left hand in a freak accident.

Yamin, 28, was picking up rocks and throwing them at a sign after visiting a nightspot in his hometown of Richmond, Va., when "his finger got caught on a rod holding down a rock," a source close to the situation told People magazine.

"My finger snapped back and broke. I had to get a plate and two screws and I'm wearing a cast," Yamin said. "I'm doing okay. It's not hampering me."

The pinky will be on the mend for the next five to six weeks - but don't worry, fans, Elliott is right-handed, so he can still sign autographs.

"Everything is scheduled as planned. I'm good," said Yamin, who is performing with the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra in Birmingham, Alabama later today.