If things couldn't get any more difficult for the Mets this spring, it just did on Sunday. Word came down early Sunday afternoon that catcher Francisco Alvarez is feared lost for up to eight weeks with a broken hamate bone in his left hand.
It will require surgery.
This is a blow to the Mets who were hoping a healthy Alvarez would help solidify the lineup after the team signed Juan Soto to a record deal, and brought back Pete Alonso on a two-year contract.
Two years ago, Alvarez blasted 25 homers and drove in 63 his rookie year. Those numbers nose-dived a bit last season as Alvarez hit only 11 homers in a year where he missed up to eight weeks with a torn UCL in his left thumb.
The Mets will have to look to Luis Torrens or deep inside their system to find a suitable replacement.
Torrens is no Alvarez with the bat. Last year he hit only three homers and drove in 15 over 47 games. Yet, his defense is very good. Torrens was credited with saving a game by himself with his defensive prowess against the Phillies last year in London.
When asked about how he feels about the Mets catching depth, President of Baseball Ops, David Stearns said he feels good about the guys the Mets have in camp at the catcher position. Of course that could all be talk right now.
One would think the Mets will search the wire as we get closer to cuts to see if a solid enough catcher becomes available either via trade or release.
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