UPDATE: In a tense moment during last night’s game, New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez was hit by a pitch on his upper left arm, raising concerns about his health yet again. This incident occurred in the eighth inning of the Mets’ 8-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on August 29, 2023, after Alvarez had already been playing through a broken pinkie on his left hand and a torn UCL in his right thumb.
Alvarez was struck by a blistering 100 mph fastball from rookie right-hander Bradgley Rodriguez. He immediately showed signs of distress, bending down behind home plate and clutching his left arm. Alvarez slowly walked up the first-base line, accompanied by manager Carlos Mendoza and an athletic trainer, before being replaced by pinch-runner Hayden Senger.
Despite the troubling scene, Mets fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Just moments later, Alvarez returned to the bench smiling, with a large wrap around his arm. He even participated in the post-game handshake line, signaling a positive outlook after what initially seemed like a grave injury.
Mendoza provided a reassuring update following the game, stating that Alvarez was feeling sore but additional imaging was not anticipated. “It looked like it didn’t hit him in the elbow; it was more in the triceps area,” Mendoza said. “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 latest incident marks the third time in three weeks that Alvarez has been struck on his left arm or hand. He was hit by a pitch on August 27, which paused his rehab for the thumb injury, and again faced a similar fate just days ago against the Texas Rangers.
As the Mets strive for a playoff position, currently holding a 1.5-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the final National League wild card spot, the health of their key players is critical. Alvarez’s resilience is not just vital for his personal well-being but for the team’s playoff aspirations as well.
Fans and analysts alike will be monitoring Alvarez’s condition closely in the coming days. His ability to rebound from this latest scare will be crucial as the Mets continue their push for postseason glory. Stay tuned for further updates on Alvarez’s status as the situation develops.
