Francisco Alvarez underwent surgery on his left hand Monday after fracturing the hamate bone during a live batting practice session on Saturday.
He is expected to miss between six and eight weeks, though a timetable is fluid, at least according to the 23-year-old catcher. If all goes well, he will get back at the six-week mark, adding, “My goal is to make that as quick as possible.”
“They said maybe after the third week I can start hitting,” Alvarez said on Wednesday (h/t SNY). “It’s on me. If my body takes more time than normal, maybe eight weeks. It’s really on me. If I feel comfortable, if I feel good, I can move quicker.”
This had been a crucial spring training for Alvarez, who was working on an entirely different approach at the plate after a 2024 season in which he struggled with streakiness. After hitting 25 home runs in his rookie season, the young backstop batted just .237 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI in 73 games.
“It’s hard to lose time during the season. It’s not good,” Alvarez said. “I was working so hard this offseason. I was working three months, so hard, to come here and play. That’s hard for me.”
That 2024 season was also cut short due to a thumb injury, which required surgery and held him out for nearly two months. While Alvarez maintained that the issue did not hamper his swing, he is uncertain how this procedure will impact his approach at the plate in 2025.
“Maybe yes, maybe no,” he said. “It’s a quick recovery, so I don’t think I’m going to lose strength in my hand. I’m very strong.”
In the meantime, Luis Torrens will take over as the team’s starting catcher, while the likes of Jakson Reetz, Chris Williams, and Hayden Senger will compete for the temporary No. 2 role.
“Defense as a backup catcher, that decision, you’re looking for someone who can lead a pitching staff, take care of the pitchers, game-calling, receiving, blocking, throwing, the whole picture,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza listed the priorities he’s looking for in naming a back-up. “But defense is an area that you look for in that position.”
