Altuve suffers broken thumb, needs surgery
Astros star Jose Altuve has a broken right thumb and will require surgery after getting hurt in Venezuela’s 9-7 quarterfinal loss Saturday to the United States at the World Baseball Classic.
The Astros said Sunday in West Palm Beach, Florida, they will announce a prognosis for Altuve after the operation.
The eight-time All-Star second baseman and the 2017 American League MVP fell after he was struck by a 95.9 mph sinker from Rockies reliever Daniel Bard in the fifth inning. Altuve grimaced as he walked off with a trainer.
Altuve’s injury occurred three days after Mets All-Star closer Edwin Diaz sustained a season-ending knee injury during the WBC.
“It appears it could be a while,” Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters at spring training in West Palm Beach, where Altuve returned for a medical examination.
Utilityman Mauricio Dubon, who batted .208 last season, is expected to move into the lineup to replace Altuve.
Fans to get sneak peak of Sasaki in WBC
If Roki Sasaki, 21, knows the perfect time for him to switch to the major leagues, he’s good at keeping a secret. The right-hander will pitch in a U.S. ballpark for the first time Monday night, when he’ll start for Japan in a World Baseball Classic semifinal against Mexico in Miami.
He became a sensation in his second season with the Pacific League’s Chiba Lotte Marines, pitching the 16th perfect game in Japanese history while striking out 19 against the Orix Buffaloes in a 6-0 victory April 10. Seven days later, Sasaki was pulled after eight perfect innings against the Hokkaido NipponHam Fighters to limit his pitch count.
“He’s going to be a tremendous star in the big leagues whenever he gets here,” Mexico manager Benji Gil said. “He would be great at the big-league level right now.”
Free agent Profar lands with Rockies
The Rockies reportedly agreed to a oneyear, $7.75 million contract with free-agent outfielder Jurickson Profar. He can earn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses.