The New York Mets are riding a surge of momentum in their bid for a playoff spot, yet the excitement at the major-league level is tempered by troubling news from the minors.
While the Mets have outscored opponents at an impressive clip in recent weeks, a fresh injury to prospect Francisco Alvarez threatens to disrupt their postseason ambitions.
Since August 12th, the Mets have averaged 7.1 runs per game, putting up 99 total runs in just over two weeks.
Their recent sweep of the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies stands as a testament to the team’s hot streak, with the club winning seven of its last ten contests.
Yet amid this surge, Alvarez-expected to provide a late-season offensive boost-was sidelined after being hit on the hand in Triple-A Syracuse.
Alvarez’s injury history complicates matters
Injuries have been a recurring challenge for Alvarez throughout his young career. He spent time on the injured list in 2024 with a left thumb sprain and suffered a fractured left hamate bone during spring training earlier this year.
Despite these setbacks, Alvarez has thrived during his minor league rehab assignment, batting .259 with 12 home runs and drawing attention as a potential key contributor for the Mets down the stretch.
The recent incident occurred in his first game back from a right-thumb sprain sustained against the Seattle Mariners on August 17.
Alvarez was 1-for-2 with a double when an 89 mph sinker from Sean Boyle struck him on the left hand in the sixth inning. Appearing clearly in pain, he took his time walking to first before being replaced by a pinch-runner.
The timing of this setback is particularly concerning. The right-thumb sprain that prompted his minor-league assignment is expected to require surgery after the season.
The Mets had been hoping Alvarez could contribute in the final weeks of the regular season, where his offensive prowess-currently a .323/.408/.645 slash line over 21 games-would be a critical asset.
Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger have been splitting time behind the plate in Alvarez‘s absence, but neither matches the young star’s ability to impact the lineup. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the delicate balancing act the team faces:
“That’s a tough one,” Mendoza said. “But if he’s swinging the bat the way he was swinging it before he went down, you’ve got to find a way to get him in there as much as you can.”
Mendoza also confirmed that the team planned to maintain Alvarez as a catcher since the injury does not affect his glove hand.
However, if throwing proves painful, a designated hitter role might be necessary. That scenario, though, could reduce at-bats for players such as Starling Marte and Mark Vientos, both of whom have been performing strongly at the plate.
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