Alonso optimistic about hand injury, extends streak of games played for Mets
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NEW YORK -- Mets first baseman Pete Alonso was not in Sunday’s starting lineup because of a right hand contusion, but his playing streak didn’t come to an end as he replaced Mark Vientos at first base in the top of the seventh inning in a 3-2 win over the Reds.
Alonso, who struck out in his only at-bat while extending his franchise-record games played streak to 354, sustained the injury while taking swings on the hitting machine prior to Saturday’s loss at Citi Field. He then went 1-for-5, but Alonso started feeling pain during his first two at-bats. X-rays on his hand were negative, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
Alonso, who is listed as day to day, was able to get treatment on Saturday night and Sunday morning and he said the hand felt a lot better.
“I took a normal swing, but I got jammed off the machine during my pregame work,” Alonso said. “I went, ‘All right, this is my last swing.’ I really didn’t think anything of it. Then, I caught one close to the label [in the first at-bat] and I really felt the pain again. The second at-bat, it felt horrible.
“Yesterday, it was kind of like managing the swelling. Today, obviously, I didn’t start the game, so it was precautionary. [Now], I think the hand is in a really good spot, especially with swelling and pain management. I got to a point where I feel I could go and help the team. I was happy to be able to get out there.”
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It’s rare when Alonso is not in the lineup. His streak of consecutive games played is the longest -- by far -- in Mets history. Alonso was last out of the starting lineup on May 30, 2024, but he came off the bench later in that game against Arizona. Alonso's streak ranks second among active players behind Atlanta’s Matt Olson (718).
Alonso is having a season to remember. He owns a slash line of .275/.370/.520 along with 21 home runs and a team-leading 77 RBIs. Alonso said he expects to be in the lineup on Monday night when the Mets open a three-game series against the Angels at Citi Field.
“We’ll see how this recovers, but I’m very optimistic. Very excited for tomorrow,” he said.