LOS ANGELES — The Mets don’t but know the extent of Francisco Alvarez’s left thumb harm, however they do know that the harm will sideline him for greater than 10 days, which is why an injured record stint was crucial.
The catcher was positioned on the 10-day injured record Saturday with the sprain and Tomás Nido was referred to as up from Triple-A Syracuse. The veteran backstop flew from Charlotte on Saturday morning and can be part of the crew when he arrives. The Mets additionally designated left-hander Kolton Ingram for project to clear area for Nido on the 40-man roster.
Alvarez underwent X-rays and imaging Friday night time in Los Angeles and was nonetheless being evaluated as of early Saturday morning, leaving the Mets with little info on the severity of the harm.
“You hate to see it,” supervisor Carlos Mendoza mentioned Saturday morning at Dodger Stadium. “We don’t understand how lengthy he’s going to be out for. We all know how a lot vitality he brings and the way in which he’s enjoying, however on the identical time, I’m fairly snug. Like we at all times say, it’s the following man up. It’s a chance right here for Nido and [Omar] Narvaez to step up.”
Alvarez, a 22-year-old rising star, was hitting .236 with two doubles, a house run, eight RBI and 4 walks. He labored diligently over the offseason to enhance his protection and framing and takes nice pleasure in his detailed work with the pitching workers.
The Venezuelan is called one of many extra outgoing gamers within the clubhouse, bringing constructive, contagious vitality nightly.
“You’re feeling for him,” shortstop Francisco Lindor mentioned following the Mets’ 9-4 win over the Dodgers. “He’s one of many happiest guys on the crew. To see anyone like that with out a smile on his face, it’s unlucky.”
Alvarez can be identified to be robust.
“It takes quite a bit to get him off the sphere,” Lindor added.
The harm occurred Friday night time within the backside of the primary inning when he slid to second base and caught his thumb within the dust. Narvaez took over behind the plate, catching Sean Manaea within the collection opener towards the Dodgers.
The backup catchers usually are not usually within the pregame conferences with the pitchers and the workers, however Narvaez dealt with the job with ease.
“Narvy stepped up immediately,” Lindor mentioned. “And fast, he wasn’t alleged to play, however he goes in and figures out the sport. That claims quite a bit about his preparation.”
Narvaez, within the second yr of a two-year contract with the Mets, is hitting .217 with a double and three RBI. He’s 0-for-16 on stolen base makes an attempt. Nido, a homegrown catcher squeezed out final yr with the emergence of Alvarez, is off to a scorching begin in Triple-A, hitting .345 with an .862 OPS, two doubles and a house run. He’s a stable defensive catcher able to dealing with a big-league pitching workers.
“Nido is a man who has finished it earlier than and so is Narvy,” Mendoza mentioned. “They’ve been fairly profitable catchers at this degree.”
