After suffering a left hand injury during spring training, New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez will now be out six to eight weeks.
With Alvarez sidelined to start the 2025 MLB season, Luis Torrens will step in as the Mets’ starting catcher. It remains to be seen who else New York will add to the roster since Torrens and Alvarez are currently the only two catchers listed, but when the latter returns, he’s expected to play a major role in the lineup.
New York Mets Catcher Francisco Alvarez Speaks Out About Latest Injury
The Mets’ young catcher spoke to reporters about his injury, saying, “It’s on me. If my body takes more time than normal, maybe eight weeks. If I feel comfortable and good, I can move quicker.”
Francisco Alvarez talks about when he expects to return:
"It's on me. If my body takes more time than normal, maybe 8 weeks. If I feel comfortable and good, I can move quicker." pic.twitter.com/SyysvRD636
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 12, 2025
Interestingly, Alvarez is putting the blame on himself. However, it’s a good sign that he’s optimistic about his recovery timeline.
Alvarez also missed time during the 2024 MLB season due to injury. Last year, he played 100 games for the Mets, batting .237 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs. He also had one stolen base and was caught stealing once, with an on-base percentage of .307.
The Mets will miss Alvarez’s presence in the lineup to start this season, but he’s not the only Mets player dealing with an injury. Both pitchers Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas are also sidelined.
With Alvarez out, the Mets could explore trade options. One potential target is catcher Tomas Nido, who is currently in spring training with the Detroit Tigers on a minor league deal. Nido is third on Detroit’s depth chart, making him a potential candidate to be moved before Opening Day.
A reunion with the Mets could be possible, but it’s unclear if it will happen. New York could also explore free agent catchers before the season starts.
Once Alvarez returns, he will be looking to contribute right away. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns already addressed Alvarez’s injury earlier in spring training.