The New York Mets are facing a significant setback during their spring training as starting catcher Francisco Alvarez will miss the season opener and an additional six to eight weeks. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Sunday that Alvarez, aged 23, will undergo surgery to fix a broken left hamate bone in his hand. This injury occurred during live at-bats on Saturday.
“It’s always tough when one of your guys goes down like that,” Mendoza remarked. “But again, you’ve got to keep going. Nobody’s going to feel sorry for us. Everybody deals with injuries. We’ll get him back.”
Alvarez, who was once the team’s top prospect, was expected to make a strong impact in the 2025 season, following a 2023 campaign where he hit 25 home runs. However, the injury may affect his power, particularly since the hamate bone injury can hinder hitting strength. As Alvarez’s catching hand is his left hand, he will need a solid rehab to restore his defensive abilities, such as his powerful arm and good framing skills.
While Alvarez is sidelined, the Mets will rely on veteran backup Luis Torrens. The Mets have faced additional challenges with injuries to key players like starting pitcher Sean Manaea and newcomer Frankie Montas, both of whom are also expected to miss part of the season.
Despite these setbacks, the Mets are determined to push forward, as they did in 2024 when they clinched a postseason spot. Their roster has been bolstered by the addition of Juan Soto, who joined after a historic signing.
