Francisco Alvarez’s Thumb Injury: Will He Play Through It, and What’s Next for Surgery?

The Mets have placed catcher Francisco Alvarez on the 10-day injured list with a right thumb UCL sprain. He’ll be evaluated again in about 10 to 14 days. Manager Carlos Mendoza shared that Alvarez will likely need surgery eventually, but the team hopes he can play through the injury for now. If he can’t, his season may be over.

Recovery from this type of thumb surgery usually takes six to seven weeks. If Alvarez opts for surgery now, he would essentially lose the remainder of the season. It’s a tough spot for the Mets, who are in a tight playoff race. They’re gambling on Alvarez’s ability to contribute later this year before fully committing to surgery.

Despite a shaky start to the season, Alvarez has been hitting well since returning from the minors. His recent performance has boosted his season stats to .265/.349/.438, highlighting his potential as a valuable player. However, the Mets as a team have struggled lately, holding a narrow lead in the standings with a record of 66-58.

This will be a critical decision for the Mets. They need Alvarez to bolster their lineup, especially considering the alternatives: Luis Torrens has been hitting just .214, and Hayden Senger is even lower at .174. With playoff hopes on the line, keeping Alvarez in the mix—even if it’s just for a few weeks—makes sense.

According to a recent survey by ESPN, fan sentiment around Alvarez is strong. Many fans believe his potential return has the power to shift the team’s fortunes dramatically. In this scenario, every at-bat counts for both Alvarez and the Mets as they aim for a postseason berth.

For more in-depth coverage of the Mets’ situation, check out the report from MLB.com, which provides insights into potential strategies the team may consider as they navigate this challenging period.

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