Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will undergo surgery for a right thumb fracture, the club announced Sunday afternoon.
Playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Altuve was hit by a pitch from the United States’ Daniel Bard during Saturday’s 9-7 loss to the Americans. The 32-year-old fell to the dirt and immediately left to the dugout.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Astros’ second baseman is looking to miss eight-to-ten weeks and the hope is for Altuve to be back in action by May if the infielder is a fast healer.
Altuve had 32 homers and hit for .300 last season with the Astros.