WASHINGTON -- Francisco Alvarez, who appeared to be taking a major step toward fulfilling his promise as a standout big league catcher, is instead headed to the injured list for the third time in his career.
The Mets placed Alvarez on the IL with a right thumb UCL sprain before Tuesday’s series opener against the Nationals. He will be re-evaluated in 10-14 days, per the club. Alvarez injured his right thumb sliding into second base Sunday during the seventh inning of the Little League Classic, a 7-3 Mets win over the Mariners.
Although Alvarez initially stayed in the game, he exited an inning later.
"At that point, I was like, ‘Let's not mess around with it,'" Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "And, you know, I basically took it away from him. I didn't want to let him even play catch."
After the game, while his Mets teammates headed to Washington for their series against the Nationals, Alvarez returned to New York to undergo an MRI.
Hand injuries are nothing new for Alvarez, who missed nearly two months in 2024 after suffering a left thumb sprain. He also fractured his left hamate bone in Spring Training this year and missed a month of the regular season. Upon his return, Alvarez struggled, prompting the Mets to option him to Triple-A Syracuse in June.
That Minor League stint seemed to have changed Alvarez’s fortunes, as he batted .323/.408/.645 in 21 games upon his return. But rather than build on that momentum, Alvarez will now spend at least a chunk of the remaining season on the IL.
In Alvarez’s absence, Luis Torrens will once again assume starting catching duties for the Mets. Hayden Senger will serve as Torrens’ backup.