Dubán Wins NL Utility Gold Glove
Mauricio Dubán earned the National League utility Gold Glove, his second consecutive utility honor after winning in the American League.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Baseball
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Mauricio Dubán won the 2026 National League utility Gold Glove award, announced November 2, 2026. He is the first player to win Gold Gloves in both leagues and has now won the utility honor three times.
Why it matters
Dubán's back-to-back utility recognition and his split-league Gold Glove history highlight his defensive versatility across multiple positions. The honor also strengthens his profile heading into free agency.
Dubán posted a .276 batting average with 12 home runs, 73 RBIs, and a .720 OPS across 153 games. He recorded 158 hits in 572 at-bats.
The players
Mauricio Dubán
Dubán is a veteran infielder and utility player who has won the utility Gold Glove three times across both leagues.
Kim Ha-seong
Kim Ha-seong is a South Korean infielder whose early-season tendon rupture opened the shortstop role that Dubán filled.
The details
Dubán, who won the American League utility Gold Glove in 2023 and 2025 with the Houston Astros, started at shortstop from the season's opening game after Kim Ha-seong suffered a right middle finger tendon rupture slipping on an icy road. He also played second base, third base, and left field during the season.
Timeline
2022: The utility Gold Glove category was established.
2023: Dubán won his first American League utility Gold Glove.
2025: Dubán won his second American League utility Gold Glove.
Early in the 2026 season: Kim Ha-seong was injured and Dubán became the starting shortstop.
November 2, 2026: MLB announced Dubán as the National League utility Gold Glove winner.
Season Trajectory
Dubán's three utility Gold Gloves, the first split between both leagues, extend the short history of the category created in 2022. His versatility across positions after Kim Ha-seong's injury strengthens his standing as the market for flexible infielders develops.
Dubán's award is a fantasy and roster consideration for teams weighing defensive flexibility in the infield. His free-agent status means his next team could change how he is deployed.
The takeaway
Dubán's record shows that defensive versatility across multiple positions can earn sustained recognition in a single season. Readers tracking infield awards can watch how the utility category continues to develop.
Further reading
For more on the sport, see Baseball coverage of players and awards across both leagues.
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