Astros infielder/outfielder Mauricio Dubon is slated to endure surgical procedure to restore a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb this week, experiences Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Dubon performed the ultimate month of the season with the torn the ligament, Rome experiences. The restoration interval shall be round six to eight weeks, leaving ample time for the versatile utilityman to be healed up by spring coaching.
Houston acquired the 30-year-old Dubon in a Could 2022 commerce that despatched journeyman catcher Michael Papierski again to the Giants. He’s since emerged as a key function participant for the ’Stros, hitting .274/.303/.388 in 920 plate appearances over the previous two seasons whereas taking part in in every single place on the diamond apart from on the mound or behind the plate. Rome notes that Dubon suffered the damage on a slide in early September however went on to hit .291/.322/.346 down the stretch whereas taking part in by appreciable ache. Although he lacks energy, Dubon is an exceptionally robust strikeout (12.9% this previous season) and excels on the defensive facet of the sport, evidenced by a Gold Glove in 2023.
Dubon is arbitration-eligible this offseason and projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz for an affordable $4.6MM wage. That’ll stand as a increase over this yr’s $3.5MM wage, which he earned after profitable an arb listening to over the Astros again in February.
Whereas accidents can at occasions be a catalyst for an arb-eligible to be non-tendered, that’s extremely unlikely on this occasion. The Astros can management Dubon by the 2026 season, and there’s no motive to assume the surgical procedure will impression his readiness for the 2025 marketing campaign. He ought to return to the identical utility function that noticed him log 93 innings at first base, 138 at second base, 75 at third base, 32 at shortstop, 405 in left area, 153 in middle area and 88 in proper area this previous season. As a profession .281/.324/.442 hitter in opposition to southpaws, he must also be an everyday piece of Houston’s assault versus lefties (even when he had a down exhibiting in that regard this previous season).
