New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez has a fracture of the hamate bone in his left hand that will require surgery.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Alvarez suffered the injury Saturday during a live batting practice session. He is scheduled for surgery on Monday: “It’s a big blow when your starting catcher goes down. But the guys will step up. The guys will have opportunities,” Mendoza told reporters.
Alvarez to miss six to eight weeks
It’s the second consecutive season that Alvarez has had to deal with an injury to his left hand. Last year, he missed about two months after tearing a ligament in his left thumb when he slipped on the bases in an April game.
“It’s out, obviously, but it’s not the first time,” Mendoza said. “It’s a shame for him. He takes it personally and he takes it very badly; he cares. We’ll do everything we can to stay positive with him and get him back on the field as soon as possible.”
The 23-year-old hit .237 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs in 100 games last season.
Who will step up?
With Alvarez out, Luis Torrens will take over as the team’s starting catcher . Hayden Senger, Jakson Reetz and Chris Williams will compete to back him up.
“It’s an opportunity for someone else to step up,” Mendoza said. “There’s a reason why they’re here. Senger is a really good defensive catcher, Reetzy has major league experience. These guys can handle a pitching staff, they can catch, so we feel good about it“.
Torrens, 28, is a seven-year veteran who hit .229 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 47 games for New York last season. Meanwhile, Reetz hit a grand slam in the first inning of the Mets’ 7-6 exhibition win over Washington on Sunday.
While the Mets believe they have plenty of depth at the position, president of baseball operations David Stearns said they could look to add a player to help while Alvarez is out.
“I think we feel good about the guys we have in camp,” Stearns said. “Whenever a regular player gets hurt, you’ll see what’s out there; but we don’t anticipate this being an extremely prolonged injury,” he said.
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