Astros infielder/outfielder is scheduled to undergo surgery this week to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic.
Dubon played through the injury for the last month of the season. Recovery is expected to take about six to eight weeks, allowing him to be ready in time for spring training.
Dubon, 30, was acquired by Houston in a May 2022 trade that sent journeyman catcher Michael Papierski to the Giants. He has become a key role player for the Astros, posting a .274/.303/.388 batting line over 920 plate appearances in the past two seasons while playing nearly every position except pitcher and catcher. Rome reports that Dubon sustained the injury during a slide in early September but still managed to hit .291/.322/.346 down the stretch despite significant pain. Although he lacks power, he has a low strikeout rate (12.9% this past season) and is known for his defensive skills, earning a Gold Glove in 2023.
Dubon is arbitration-eligible this offseason, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting a salary of around $4.6 million, an increase from his current $3.5 million salary, which he earned after winning an arbitration hearing against the Astros in February.
While injuries can sometimes lead to arb-eligible players being non-tendered, that seems unlikely in this case. The Astros have control over Dubon through the 2026 season, and there’s no indication that the surgery will hinder his readiness for the 2025 season. He is expected to return to his versatile utility role, having logged significant innings at first base (93), second base (138), third base (75), shortstop (32), and in the outfield (405 in left field, 153 in center, and 88 in right). With a career .281/.324/.442 batting average against left-handed pitchers, he should continue to be a valuable asset for Houston against southpaws, even after a challenging season.
Leave a Reply