Astros infielder/outfielder is slated to undergo surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb this week, . Dubon played the final month of the season with the torn the ligament, Rome reports. The recovery period will be around six to eight weeks, leaving ample time for the versatile utilityman to be healed up by spring training. Houston acquired the 30-year-old Dubon that sent journeyman catcher back to the Giants. Hes since emerged as a key role player for Coby Tillman Jersey the Stros, hitting .274/.303/.388 in 920 plate appearances over the past two seasons while playing everywhere on the diamond other than on the mound or behind the plate. Rome notes that Dubon suffered the injury on a slide in early September but went on to hit .291/.322/.346 down the stretch while playing through considerable pain. Though he lacks power, Dubon is an exceptionally tough strikeout (12.9% this past season) and excels on the defensive side of the game, evidenced by a Gold Glove in 2023. Dubon is arbitration-eligible this offseason and for a reasonable $4.6MM salary. Thatll stand as a raise over this years $3.5MM salary, which he earned after winning an arb hearing over the Astros back in February. While injuries can at times be a catalyst for an arb-eligible player to be non-tendered, thats highly unlikely in this instance. The Astros can control Dubon through the 2026 season, and theres no reason to think the surgery will impact his readine s for the 2025 campaign. He should return to the same utility role that saw him log 93 innings at first base, 138 at second base, 75 at third base, 32 at shortstop, 405 in left field, 153 in center field and 88 in right field this past season. As a career .281/.324/.442 hitter against southpaws, he should also be a regular piece of Houstons attack versus lefties (even if he had a down showing in that regard this past season). Tyler Venables Jersey