Francisco Alvarez ready to test his thumb in hopes of returning to the Mets

Mets’ Francisco Alvarez Delays Surgery for Thumb Injury

Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is facing a decision about the 2025 season—specifically, he’s not ready to sit out completely yet.

He’s acknowledged the need for surgery on a sprained ligament in his right thumb but intends to wait until the offseason to go under the knife.

Alvarez, who sustained the injury on August 17 while sliding into second base, mentioned that he has continued to throw and hit while using a specially designed splint on his right hand. He is set to start his minor league assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday night.

“I’m not in pain… I feel better now. I’ve worked hard to get ready,” Alvarez shared through an interpreter before Tuesday’s game against the Phillies. “Realistically, I think I can come back as the same player. If I ever feel pain or discomfort, I’ll make sure to communicate that with the coach and the staff—I won’t play if it hurts.”

“But I still hold hope that I can have the same kind of success,” he added.

At just 23, Alvarez had a rocky start to the season, dealing with a broken hamate bone that required surgery during spring training. After returning, he struggled at the plate for about a month and spent time in Triple-A, hitting just .229 with two home runs until June 19.

After being recalled on July 21, he began to find his rhythm with a much-improved .323 batting average, hitting four homers and driving in 13 runs, before the thumb injury set him back.

“This season has been tough for me,” Alvarez mentioned. “It started off rough with injuries, and there have definitely been some highs and lows.” He reflected on last season, noting, “It was equally challenging. If I get the chance to play again, I’ll give 100% to help this team however I can.”

He’s been adjusting to playing with the splint and working on his grip at the plate, even hitting some impressive home runs recently.

“At this point, things couldn’t be going better,” said team president David Stearns on a podcast, though he also noted, “We haven’t played the game yet. That’s the real test.”

Carlos Mendoza expressed confidence in Alvarez’s ability to manage his injury, estimating he could tolerate it for a few days or possibly longer, depending on how his body responds during games.

“Everything—batting practice, velocity, it all looks good,” Mendoza commented. “We just need to keep an eye on how he handles check swings and defensive plays.”