The New York Mets had enjoyed a completely injury-free Spring Training up to this point, but that streak came to an end just days before the start of the 2026 MLB season.
Catcher Francisco Álvarez was scheduled to work a full nine innings in Thursday’s exhibition game, but he was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the fourth inning.
Problems for Carlos Mendoza’s Mets?
José Aular took his place after Álvarez had only one at-bat; the catcher had already worked three innings behind the plate. The Mets did not provide immediate information about the situation, which began to worry fans.
More than two hours after his exit, manager Carlos Mendoza explained that the decision was made as a precaution after the player reported back stiffness.
The manager clarified that Álvarez left the game because it is not a regular-season game, and he will be re-evaluated again tomorrow morning.
Options to replace Francisco Álvarez
The Mets catcher has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career, so the team already has backup profiles like Luis Torrens, who serves as the backup catcher. Unfortunately for the club, Torrens stands out far more defensively than with the bat.
The roster also includes two other catchers: Hayden Senger and Ben Rortvedt. Senger already saw action as Torrens’ backup during several stretches last season when Álvarez was absent, while Rortvedt arrived as an offseason addition.
A potential absence of Francisco Álvarez would be terrible news for the New York Mets, who are looking to get off to the best possible start in the 2026 MLB season.
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