The Mets placed catcher Francisco Alvarez on the 10-day injured list earlier today with a right thumb UCL sprain, announcing that he will be evaluated again in 10 to 14 days. Manager Carlos Mendoza later provided more information to reporters, including Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Alvarez will require surgery at some point but the Mets are going to see if he can play through it before going under the knife. If he can’t play through it a few weeks from now, he could be done for the year.
It seems that the Mets and Alvarez are in a weird limbo area due to the calendar. Andy Martino of SNY relays that the typical recovery time for this thumb surgery is six to seven weeks. If he were to have it done now, it would essentially end his season.
The Mets are battling for a playoff spot and will instead see if Alvarez can be a factor for them later in the year. It might not work out but it doesn’t appear there’s a serious downside. Even if the surgery is delayed until the offseason, Alvarez should have time to recover for a normal offseason and be ready for spring training.
Alvarez struggled earlier this year and got optioned down to the minors for a spell. Since coming back up, he has been on a tear. His recent hot streak has brought his season-long line up to .265/.349/.438, which translates to a 126 wRC+.
As Alvarez has been hot, the club has been cold. The Mets have been sliding in the standings and their 66-58 record has them barely hanging onto a playoff spot, just one game up on the Reds. If there’s a chance of getting Alvarez back in the lineup for a few weeks, it’s understandable that they would try, especially when considering the alternatives. Luis Torrens is hitting .214/.280/.301 this year while Hayden Senger has a .174/.208/.196 line.
Photo courtesy of Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images
Poor Mets. Just as he had come around.
So why even play? The Mutts season is probably over anyway. Just have the surgery.
Troll, I see.
Classless, entitled Yankee fan. Which I guess is the same thing. I remember these clowns back in the mid-70s. They haven’t changed.
Cry louder 🤡
Yankees Troll.
By that reasoning, Judge should get his shoulder repaired now too.
*elbow
God I hate fans like you.
Signed,
A Yankees fan.
*Hoping for the best for Francisco.
Maybe a little PRP now at the start of his IL R&R
Hopefully Alvarez can play out of the year.
Maybe he’ll pay more attention when the coaches focus on sliding (feet first) next year in spring training.
He’s just plain reckless. He’s playing at 90 mph in a school zone. Dude has no ability to cut down on his overly aggressive playing style.
Yay. One extra base gained. One smoking hot hitting catcher sent to the IL.
It is not worth it. Multiple hand injuries from being overly aggressive on the bases.
It’s like a young guy who repeatedly wrecks cars. WHEN WILL HE EVER LEARN?
I don’t fully agree with this take.
I mean I understand what you’re saying, but sometimes those hustle plays are the difference in a win and a loss. Yes they go either way.
Personally I would rather be a little aggressive and try to create a spark in your team (especially when the team has been struggling like the Mets).
That’s just me though!
Thanks for the reply! The Mets were up 7-3 at the time. That’s part of my calculus. I still have memories of him wrecking his hand on the bases last year or was it the year before?
Seems like he hit the IL twice a year. I love the player. I love the youth. I want situational awareness. It’s a tough loss for the Mets and the Mets fans. He’s a difference maker. I want him on the field. I’m admitting to some venting here. He’s on the brink of being a great player. Just going to have to wait a little longer. Someone said Travis Darnaud all over again.
Well, at least the Mets won’t make the mistake of giving him away. And having to play Jose Lobaton instead.
” I still have memories of him wrecking his hand on the bases last year or was it the year before?”
How clear are those memories? Because he tripped and used his hand to break his fall. It was a freak occurence.
You can still do that and be aggressive like that sliding instead of diving into bases though.
I’m sure catching and swinging a bat will be no big deal.
Bbbut the high fives!
You’re sure? Quite certain? This is doubtless based on your having examined him and reviewed his MRI. Combined with your experience of many years treating thumb injuries, your confidence is understandable.
I’ve had this injury, and it lasted for months but I avoided surgery, and surgery was not called for when I was first examined.
My point other than this sucks as a Mets fan is in my experience he will not do anymore damage if he plays through it and waits for the surgery than getting the surgery now as they will have to do the same amount of repair.
That being said I really doubt he will be able to play in my honest opinion, yeah, I’m no doctor, the rest of this year.
My expectation, he’s done.
Slide feet first dude, you are a catcher!
Save it, Joel.
I thought other readers would like to hear more about your qualifications regarding thumb injuries.
Luis Torrens couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn. Whatever luck he had last year hitting is gone
It’s no consolation but he has been extremely unlucky this year. His slash is .214/.280/.301 but his expected slash is .284/.354/.474 via Statcast. His hard hit %, EV, sweet spot % are all very good. We’ll see if he can get some hits to fall over the next 10-14 days.
I wonder if there is a minor leaguer who they can trade for. They can still make that type of trade. Maybe another Luis Torrens like last year who is hot at the moment in AAA.
Senger was great with the staff and great defensively for the Mets earlier this season. He’s Alvarez and Torrens automatic stand-in replacement through 2027. Senger has Three option years including this one. I don’t see anyone else getting the 3rd string catcher job until 2028.
2028 is a long way away, and no team shows that much loyalty to a highly expendable, and marginal or AAA caliber talent. One with a .400-something OPS whom the Mets allowed to test free agency last year.
Yes, Senger is an asset on defense. And he has experience handling the pitching prospects that will be coming up over the next year or two. But he is still worthless on offense. No intelligent, sensible FO will leave itself with only one deficient option at 3rd catcher. It will sign another potential 3rd catcher to a minor league contract as a hedge or a fallback. Once there, if that player is hotter or guy looks better suited than Senger, the FO will not hesitate to call up that guy instead. Yes, Senger has a bit of an advantage in that he’s already on the 40-man and the new guy would have to be added. But thats seldom a problem.
And let’s not forget that Kevin Parada has broken out in a big way these past three months and needs Rule 5 protection this year, anyway. Once on the roster, he becomes an option. He may not be ready step in next year. But between now and the end of ’27, he will get called up ahead of Senger at some point. if nothing else, the Mets will start calling him up in 2026 as preparation for him to become the backup in ’27 when Torres leaves for free agency.
Why trade for one when there are free agents hanging around?
Because why not one ready to play and doing good in AAA.It would be just a small cash deal. It worked out last year with Torrens.
If you have a particular AAA catcher in mind, then offer him up. but let’s not arbitrarily assume that a free agent is not “ready”. There are free agents who were just DFA’s in the last few days to two weeks.
Don’t get so huffy. Just throwing things out there for discussion. Maybe somebody knows. Maybe even Heim will be waived by the Rangers according to the recent MLBTR article. Which free agent do have in mind? Austin Barnes? Let’s go Mets! And I know Heim is not in AAA.
Unbelievable
Seems like there’s an entity or something that hates the Mets.
He’s obviously not related to Ronnie Lott…
Did. We just ready this post on the Tigers?