The GM of the Houston Astros, Dana Brown, announced on Sunday that second baseman Jose Altuve will need surgery on his right thumb. Altuve fractured his thumb over the weekend during a World Baseball Classic game when he was hit by a pitch.
Altuve will probably need around two months to get back, by some estimates, but the Astros do have someone ready to step in his roll and help out. That player is utility infielder David Hensley. Hensley is having a strong Spring Training with a .912 OPS and 2 HR in 28 at-bats.
Hensley had a breakout year in 2022 with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys posting a .898 OPS with 30 2B and a system leading 80 walks in 104 games. He was called up to the Astros and hit well with a 1.027 OPS in 16 major league games, including some post-season at-bats too. Five of his major league games were at second base and he played 23 games at second in Triple-A last season.
The 26-year old infielder already has a start in World Series on his resume — he had a hit in that game — and is ready to fill-in as Altuve recovers from his injury. While injuries are never a good thing, this opens the door for Hensley to show what he can do at the major league level for an extended showcase.
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