Alvarez exits Mets game with hand injury

The Mets catcher left Sunday night’s game against the Mariners with a right thumb injury after a headfirst slide, with an MRI planned in New York.

Francisco Alvarez exits Mets game early with hand injury

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The Mets beat the Mariners 7-3 in the Little League Classic when Francisco Alvarez was removed before the eighth inning after injuring his right thumb on a headfirst slide in the seventh. Trainers checked him on the field and he remained in briefly before Luis Torrens took over behind the plate. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Alvarez will travel back to New York for an MRI on Monday. Earlier, Alvarez had contributed two doubles and looked to be heating up at the plate.

Alvarez’s injury adds to a season already testing the Mets’ depth. He had been delivering solid production after a recall from Triple-A Syracuse, but a thumb issue compounds questions about his timeline and the team’s injury resilience. The day also spotlighted the farm system, as Nolan McLean impressed in his MLB debut with five-plus scoreless innings in Queens the night before, signaling that the Mets can lean on young talent if injuries mount. In a stretch where every rotation turn matters, the club will rely on MRI results to plan the short-term lineup and on continued minor-league progress to cover gaps.

Highlights

As the medical word comes back, the Mets must balance caution with opportunity for others to step up.