UPDATE: In a tense moment during last night’s game, Francisco Alvarez of the New York Mets was struck by a blistering 100 mph fastball from San Diego Padres rookie Bradgley Rodriguez, raising alarms about his already precarious injury status. This incident occurred in the eighth inning of the Mets’ 8-3 victory on August 29, 2023.
Alvarez, playing through a broken pinkie on his left hand and a torn UCL in his right thumb, appeared to be in significant pain after the hit. He clutched his left arm as he slowly walked to first base, accompanied by manager Carlos Mendoza and an athletic trainer. Concerned fans watched as he was replaced by pinch-runner Hayden Senger. However, Alvarez was seen on the bench just moments later, smiling and sporting a large wrap around his left arm, a positive sign for Mets supporters.
Mendoza provided an update post-game, stating that while Alvarez felt sore, he is not expected to undergo any imaging tests. “It looked like it didn’t hit him in the elbow; it was more like the triceps muscle area,” Mendoza noted. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow, but as of right now, we’re not planning on doing any X-rays or anything like that.” This is a relief considering Alvarez has recently faced multiple injuries; this incident marks the third time in three weeks that he has been hit on the left arm or hand.
Earlier this month, Alvarez’s rehabilitation for his right thumb injury was interrupted when he sustained a broken pinkie after being hit by a pitch while playing for Triple-A Syracuse. He also faced a similar setback against the Texas Rangers just last Saturday.
The Mets currently hold a slim lead, sitting 1.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final National League wild card spot. With the postseason looming, the health of key players like Alvarez is critical for their playoff aspirations.
As the team looks to secure their place in the playoffs, the focus now shifts to Alvarez’s recovery. Fans and teammates alike will be eagerly awaiting further updates on his condition in the coming days. Stay tuned for the latest developments on this story as it unfolds.