Francisco Alvarez and the Mets avoided disaster Tuesday during their 9-3 win over the Yankees in The Bronx after he was drilled in the right hand by a pitch in the top of the ninth inning. X-rays were negative.
Alvarez swung at the 97 mph sinker from Albert Abreu and struck out on the play.
He was immediately tended to by the training staff and appeared to be in significant pain.
The play came immediately after Abreu also drilled Mark Vientos in the hand with a pitch.
After the game, Alvarez said the pitch hit him in the middle finger and that he didn’t think it had broken his finger.
Because he felt OK, Alvarez said he didn’t think more tests would be necessary on Wednesday.
He was replaced in the bottom of the ninth by Omar Narvaez.
Alvarez, who went 0-for-5, has been one of the few bright spots for an underachieving Mets team that has fallen far short of expectations and manager Buck Showalter said before the results of the X-ray were known that he had “some concern” about Alvarez.
Francisco Alvarez lets go of his bat after being hit by a pitch. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Francisco Alvarez reacts to getting hit by a pitch during the Mets’ win over the Yankees on Tuesday. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Francisco Alvarez clutches his hands after being hit. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post“You know your players and their body language,” Showalter said.
Narvaez, who was signed this offseason to share the catching duties with Tomas Nido, has become the backup catcher through a calf strain that sidelined him from early April until early June, and the play of Alvarez.
He said he would understand and welcome being traded — and if it means he would receive more playing time.
“I think every player wants to play every day,” Narvaez said. “It would be sad for me to leave the team, but if that would be a benefit on my career, I definitely would take it. Everybody on this club wants to play every day.”
Francisco Alvarez exits the Mets’ win over the Yankees on Tuesday. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThe Mets had a good idea Luis Guillorme’s right calf injury likely would not be a short-term proposition, and that assessment was confirmed on Tuesday.
Guillorme, according to the team, has a Grade 2 strain of the calf and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Guillorme sustained the injury on Saturday in Boston while fielding a grounder off his chest at second base.
Danny Mendick was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse over the weekend and is filling Guillorme’s role as a utility infielder. Guillorme owned a .238/.304/.347 slash line in 50 games for the Mets this season.
Guillorme’s difficult season has included a stint at Syracuse.
Tommy Pham missed a fourth straight start and did not play after he left the game Thursday against the White Sox with tightness in his right groin. Pham, who pinch-hit Sunday at Boston, has been testing the groin during pregame drills.
“When the score is 2-2 in the ninth inning, I want to feel confident I can score from second,” Pham said.
Starling Marte took batting practice at Yankee Stadium, but Showalter said it’s unclear if the he will be activated from the IL when he is eligible on Thursday.
Marte’s migraines — the cause of his IL stint — have subsided in recent days, according to Showalter. But the Mets have also been using the downtime to get rest for Marte, who had double groin surgery last November and has struggled both offensively and defensively this season.
Elieser Hernandez was recalled from Syracuse and placed on the 15-day injured list with a right pec strain. The right-hander has battled various ailments this season and has yet to throw a pitch for the major league team.
The Mets are 31-42 all-time against the Yankees in The Bronx.
