New York Mets Announce Devastating Injury News

For all of the excitement surrounding the Mets this spring training, the Amazins have been dealt some pretty tough injury luck to start the year.

After signing the left-handed Sean Manaea to a multi-year deal and bringing in another ex-A's pitcher in Frankie Montas, both are expected to start the season on the IL.

And now according the New York Post's Mike Puma, one of the best young catchers in baseball will join them.

Per the Mets beat writer: "Francisco Alvarez will have surgery tomorrow for a fractured hamate bone on his left hand." Adding, "He is out 6-8 weeks."

Alvarez burst onto the scene in 2023 with 25 homers and 63 RBI in 123 games before injuries took their toll a bit last year. Even then though, the Venezuelan-born backstop was still able to slug 11 home runs and 47 RBI in only 308 at-bats on the way to an NLCS appearance.

Whenever he does return, the 23-year-old figures to be right in the heart of a dangerous middle-of-the-lineup that features Juan Soto, Pete Alonso and the versatile Mark Vientos.

If Alvarez stays on track with his 6-8 week diagnosis, that should allow him to come back anywhere from early-to-mid May and not force him to miss out on too much of the Mets' 162-game schedule.