LOS ANGELES — The Mets have suffered their first significant injury to an everyday player.
Francisco Alvarez will be out for a while after the team placed him on the 10-day injured list before the team’s 6-4 win at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, requiring surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb. is what happened.
Alvarez told his teammates that the timeline for his return is six to eight weeks.
The catcher stumbled while rounding first base and left midway through the second inning of Friday night’s 9-4 win over the Dodgers in visible discomfort.
He braced himself, putting his weight on his thumb, and continued running to second place.
Omar Narváez, who replaced Alvarez at the plate on Friday, will likely receive most of the playing time in Alvarez’s absence.
Needing a backup, the Mets selected veteran Tomas Nido from Triple-A Syracuse after adding him to the 40-man roster.
Alvarez will lose the most offensive power.
He played in 16 games this season, hitting .236/.288/.364 with one home run and eight RBIs. The Mets watched as Alvarez helped lead the team last season, hitting 25 home runs.
“The players are going to have to step up,” coach Carlos Mendoza said. “Narvi, Nido, we feel very good about them. We don’t know how long it will last. [Alvarez] is going to be out, but we know how much energy he brings and the way he plays, and he was pretty comfortable. But as I always say, “Next person.” This is an opportunity for Nido and Narváez to step up.”
Narváez started last season as the Mets’ starting catcher, but was forced to go on the IL for two months in April with a calf strain.
Upon his return, he was demoted to reserve duty, and Alvarez blossomed into a starting role.
“[Alvarez] He’s a really important part of our team and we all know he’s a tough kid,” Narváez said. “It takes a lot to get him out of the game, but things happen.”
Narvaez admitted he’s not happy with his defensive play and is working on addressing it.
“There are still some things we need to improve on defense, but I think we can reach the same level that everyone knows,” Narváez said.
Asked specifically what he needs to improve on, Narváez cited his pitching framework and the movement of throwing to second base.
Alvarez became the first position player the Mets placed on the IL this season.
Kodai Chiga, Tyler Megill and Sean Reed-Foley are among the pitchers rehabbing on the IL.
Pete Alonso said the Mets will miss Alvarez’s energy no matter how long he is sidelined.
“He’s a phenomenal player, a tremendous worker, and he’s made great strides, not only with his maturity on the plate, but also with his defensive side, who’s helped our staff a lot,” Alonso said. Ta. “He is a great competitor, a great personality, always full of energy and ready to go. I will definitely be sad to not be able to attend.”
