SAN DIEGO

Francisco Alvarez experienced some dizziness but managed to avoid a concussion after a foul tip struck his face mask, prompting an early exit from Wednesday’s game.

The incident occurred in the fifth inning when Martin Maldonado’s foul ball hit Alvarez on the side of his mask. Following the incident, Alvarez was assessed by the training staff but remained in the game for a while longer.

Eventually, he was substituted by Lewis Torrence behind the plate during the sixth inning of a game that saw the Mets fall 5-0 to the Padres at Petco Park.

“We’ll put him through concussion protocols, and he passed them,” said Coach Carlos Mendoza, confirming that Alvarez was allowed to go home with the team.

As the Mets gear up for a series against the Giants at Citifield on Friday, Alvarez is being monitored daily.

Meanwhile, Juan Soto didn’t participate in Wednesday’s action, but it seems likely he’ll return to the lineup for the next game. He had left the previous game early due to discomfort in his left foot, also a result of a foul ball. Mendoza noted that while Soto is still feeling some discomfort, he’s doing “better” and is expected to play on Friday.

In Soto’s absence, Jeff McNeill took over right field, with Tyrone Taylor positioned in center. Mendoza reshuffled the batting order, placing Francisco Lindor third and moving Mark Vientos to the No. 2 spot.

It’s worth mentioning that since the All-Star break, Soto’s performance has dipped significantly; he’s currently 5-for-39, which translates to a .128 average with just two homers. This follows a particularly strong stretch that had earned him National League Player of the Month honors in June.

Mendoza has advised his players to avoid getting caught up in the trade rumors swirling around as the deadline approaches. “Everyone is talking about being traded; I keep telling them not to take everything they read at face value,” he said. “The main focus should be on playing baseball, as every team has an interest in every player. We’re doing our part to block out distractions as much as possible.”