New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is facing uncertainty regarding his participation in upcoming games due to a right hand contusion. His absence from the starting lineup on Sunday raises concerns about his impressive streak of 353 consecutive games played, a franchise record. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Alonso underwent X-rays, which returned negative results, and classified him as day to day.
Alonso experienced discomfort after his first two at-bats during Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds. Mendoza noted that Alonso was jammed on a couple of swings, which subsequently exacerbated the pain. In that game, Alonso managed one hit in five at-bats, but the injury has put his participation in jeopardy.
Alonso’s Impact on the Team
Mendoza did not rule out the possibility of Alonso coming off the bench during Sunday’s game. “He is getting treatment,” Mendoza stated. “He says he is a lot better this morning.” In Alonso’s absence, Mark Vientos started at first base, marking a significant moment as it was Alonso’s first absence from the starting lineup since May 30, 2024. Although he was not in the lineup on May 6, 2024, he played later in that game.
Alonso’s streak of 353 games places him second among active players, trailing only Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves, who has played in 717 consecutive games. As an All-Star this season, Alonso has an impressive batting average of .276 along with 21 home runs, making him a crucial player for the Mets.
Given the nature of hand injuries, Mendoza emphasized the importance of not rushing Alonso’s return. “When you are dealing with a hand injury, we thought it was best to get ahead of ourselves because it could linger,” he explained. The Mets will closely monitor Alonso’s recovery as they seek to maintain their competitive edge in the league.
