New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was ‘pretty concerned’ about star catcher Francisco Alvarez after he suffered a gruesome-looking injury.
It was a great night for the Mets on Friday as they won the first of a three-game trip to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they were left holding their breath on Alvarez, who was sent for a scan on his thumb after a nasty accident.
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The baseball game was only at the top of the second inning when Alvarez was seen on his knees in the middle of the field, wincing as he clutched his thumb.
The Venezuelan had stepped up to the plate and sent a bobbling hit back towards pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but was able to reach first base and round it for second after a fielding error from the Dodgers.
However, Alvarez slipped as he changed direction, catching himself with his left hand before sprinting and sliding safely into second base.
It was clear he was hurt in the process, though, with replays showing his thumb collapsing and bending backwards in horrible footage as he stumbled between the bases.
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He stayed on base for the inning and eventually ran in to score thanks to Harrison Bader’s centre field drive, but then immediately exited the game and was replaced by second-choice catcher Omar Narvaez.
New York eventually closed out a big five-run win over the talent-stacked Dodgers, with the final score reading 9-4 after home run hits from DJ Stewart and Francisco Lindor.
The Mets - who are heading to the UK in the summer for the MLB London Series against the Phillies - are on a roll after a disastrous start to the season.
This was their fifth straight victory in a remarkable turnaround of form under new manager Mendoza, having started the season with five losses from their first five games.
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Since that run, though, they have gone 11-3. The star-studded Dodgers, who are expected to go far this season after the arrival of Japanese hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani, have won only two of their last eight outings.
But Alvarez’s injury is a big blow for the Mets, and is their second in the space of a few days as they are already missing third baseman Brett Baty to a hamstring injury.
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Both youngsters have been key for Mendoza, with 22-year-old Alvarez emerging as one of the best catchers in Major League Baseball since his rookie season in 2023, and also proving one of the team’s most consistent hitters with one home run and eight RBIs this season.
Baty, 24, had struggled to step up to the major leagues in his rookie year last season, but has shown real improvement with his defensive plays so far this year, as well as with bat in hand - posting one home run and nine RBIs in 17 games before he was forced out of Tuesday’s win over the Pirates.
Having both men out at the same time is a big blow for Mendoza, who admitted after Friday night’s win over the Dodgers that it doesn’t look good for his starting catcher.
"I'm pretty concerned, I'm not going to lie," the Mets manager said.
"Obviously, he's getting an MRI right now, but he's in pain. I'm worried about that."
Mendoza went into further detail, explaining that when Alvarez got back to the dugout he couldn't squeeze the glove, which led to him being replaced.
According to SNY, Alvarez appeared to hurt the same thumb while sliding into second base during the Mets’ series sweep against the Pirates on Wednesday, and in the same game he was checked by trainers after he was hit in the left hand on a swing.
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The New York broadcaster confirmed later on Saturday that Alvarez had been placed on the team's 15-day injury list with a left thumb sprain - good news, considering how it looked at the time.
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