PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez will undergo surgery Monday to fix a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, manager Carlos Mendoza said. The Mets expect Alvarez to miss the next six to eight weeks.
Alvarez’s absence is a blow to the depth of the Mets’ lineup, which is the club’s biggest strength. On the first day of spring training, Alvarez referred to the Mets’ lineup as the best in baseball. He was expected to bat somewhere in the lower half, probably seventh.
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But Alvarez’s injury also impacts the pitching staff; the 23-year-old has quickly built a strong reputation for helping squeeze the most out of whoever takes the mound. Already, the Mets will open the season without starting pitchers Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat).
“It’s a big blow when your starting catcher goes down,” Mendoza said. “Guys will step up, guys will get opportunities. We feel good about what we have in-house. Pretty sure (Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns) and the group will be looking outside as well, as he always does. You hate to see it.”
Backup catcher Luis Torrens should see the bulk of action in Alvarez’s place. The Mets added Torrens last May, and he helped turn things around for the club. In his first two months with the team, Torrens supplied exactly what the Mets were hoping for and then some from a backup catcher by hitting .304 and playing quality defense. However, Torrens went just 6-for-49 (.122) over August and September.
The Mets entered spring training without a clear-cut third-string catcher. Their internal options include Hayden Senger, Chris Williams and Jakson Reetz — none are on the 40-man roster.
The free-agent options are limited to former Mets catcher James McCann and Yasmani Grandal. Because Alvarez’s injury is relatively short-term, it’s unlikely the Mets will make a major addition. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that more players become accessible toward the end of spring training.
Alvarez felt something while taking a swing during live batting practice Saturday, Mendoza said. It’s the second straight season that Alvarez has suffered an injury to his left hand (which is his receiving hand). Last April, Alvarez tore a ligament in his left thumb, requiring surgery.
Alvarez took advice from former Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez and changed his swing over the winter with the hopes of using more of the entire field. Alvarez struggled offensively for much of 2024, slashing .237/.307/.403 with 11 home runs over 342 plate appearances.
(Photo: Hunter Martin / Getty Images)
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