(West Palm Beach) Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is in need of surgery following a broken right thumb, sustained Saturday at the World Baseball Classic.
The injury occurred in Venezuela’s 9-7 quarter-final loss to the United States.
The Astros will announce a prognosis after the operation.
A member of eight All-Star teams and Most Valuable Player in the 2017 All-American, Altuve was hit by a 95.9 mph snap ball from Daniel Bard in the fifth inning.
It came three days after New York Mets star stopper Edwin DÃaz suffered a knee injury while celebrating a Puerto Rican win over the Dominicans.
DÃaz tore a tendon in his right knee. He will be operated on Thursday and will miss the entire coming season.
As for Altuve, “it looks like it could take a long time,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said Sunday.
Altuve returned to Florida for a medical examination.
Last year he hit .300 in 141 games, totaling 28 home runs and 57 RBIs.
The Astros open the regular season on March 30 in Houston against the Chicago White Sox.