Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Dee Gordon has been diagnosed with a UCL tear in his right thumb, reports Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Time, an injury that will require surgery and keep him out for an expected six weeks.

Gordon has a UCL tear in his thumb.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) July 6, 2012

Dee Gordon will have surgery on his thumb.

— Dylan Hernandez (@dylanohernandez) July 5, 2012

Gordon injured his thumb during Wednesday’s contest against the Cincinnati Reds. It was initially termed a dislocated thumb, which Gordon sustained while sliding into third during a stolen base attempt.

While the thumb didn’t end up being broken, an MRI did ultimately reveal the UCL sprain. Following surgery, Gordon is expected to require six weeks before he can return to the Dodgers.

The 24-year-old has been electric on the base paths this season, leading the majors with 30 steals, though the same can’t be said about his production at the plate. On the year, Gordon has only mustered a line of .229/.280/.282, with 62 strikeouts in 78 games and only 12 of his 69 hits going for extra-bases.

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Should the Dodgers look for an upgrade at shortstop?

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