New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez was placed on the injured list with a sprained ligament in his right thumb and will be “re-evaluated in 10-14 days for return to play,” the team said Tuesday.
Alvarez sustained the injury while sliding into second base during the seventh inning of New York’s 7-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday in the Little League Classic. He was replaced behind the plate by Luis Torrens in the eighth.
Torrens will become the everyday starter with Alvarez sidelined.
Catcher Hayden Senger was recalled from Syracuse to fill the roster spot and right-hander Paul Blackburn was released.
Alvarez underwent an MRI in New York on Monday while the team traveled to Washington to prepare for Tuesday’s opener of a three-game series versus the Nationals.
Alvarez is no stranger to hand injuries, having missed nearly two months last season with a sprained left thumb. He also injured his left hamate bone in spring training prior to this season.
The 23-year-old returned from a demotion to Triple-A Syracuse with a flourish. He was batting .323 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 21 games since being called up on July 21.
Alvarez has a career average of .230 with 44 home runs and 135 RBIs in 284 games with the Mets.
–Field Level Media
