Francisco Alvarez returns to lineup, to the amazement of the Mets
The Mets' Francisco Alvarez reacts after he was hit by a pitch as he struck out against the Yankees during the ninth inning of an MLB game at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
A day after leaving the game immediately upon getting hit by a pitch on his right middle finger, a collision of flesh and cowhide that triggered obvious major pain as well as admitted concern from manager Buck Showalter, Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez was right back in the lineup Wednesday night against the Yankees.
Yep, he was totally fine, apparently, to the amazement of the Mets.
“I think he enjoys pain,” said Brett Baty, Alvarez’s fellow rookie and former minor-league teammate.
Showalter said: “He’s ready to go.”
Alvarez’s X-rays, taken Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, were negative, which he said lessened his concern level to zero.
Still, a lot of times with potential hand injuries, teams opt for further medical imaging the next day, just to be extra sure nothing is wrong, since X-rays don’t always tell the whole story. In Alvarez’s case, the Mets decided that wasn’t necessary. His range of motion and grip strength were good. There were no red flags.
“With that spot, they’re telling me it would be pretty self-evident if there was something [wrong] there,” Showalter said.
Consider it another win for Alvarez, who in addition to impressing defensively and registering as one of the Mets’ best hitters — slugging 19 home runs with a .792 OPS entering play Wednesday — has developed a reputation as something of a bulldog.
Foul tips, backswings, pitches — Alvarez’s meaty 5-foot-10, 233-pound frame has absorbed it all in recent months, but Showalter has struggled to convince himself to let Alvarez rest.
"Catching in general takes a toll on you," Showalter said. “He’s handled it well, the physical part of it."
Does Alvarez ever even feel pain?
“Maybe every day,” Alvarez said through an interpreter Tuesday night.
Baty said: “I’ve seen him get rocked and then just eat it, be ready to go.”
Alvarez’s ability to shake it off is fine by Omar Narvaez, the veteran offseason addition relegated to backup by the youngster’s breakout.
“That’s the beauty of being 21 years old,” the 31-year-old Narvaez said.
Mark Canha, 34, sitting at the next locker, added with a laugh: “That’s true.”
Narvaez continued, saying he is glad Alvarez has developed such fortitude, because it helps him avoid one of the most difficult parts of his job: jumping into the game on no notice when required.
“If I got hit, I’d be out for a week,” Narvaez said, laughing. “Probably not, but it’s the beauty of being a catcher. You tolerate a lot of pain. Tough kid.
“Thank God we were winning by a lot and there’s nothing really to worry about. But when it’s a close game and you’re lost [because you’re suddenly in the game], it’s a terrible feeling. You got an idea, but as much as you pay attention to the game, it’s not the same feeling as catching to start the game. It’s never the same.”
With Alvarez, that hasn’t been much of a problem.
“He’s not a guy that lets you feel every ounce of discomfort he faces,” Showalter said.
Marte update
The Mets probably won’t activate Starling Marte from the injured list when he is eligible Thursday, Showalter said.
A complicating factor: Marte’s significant other is due to give birth to their child any day.
Marte has been out since early last week because of migraines but has been participating in baseball activities. His workout Wednesday was cut short because he had to tend to his partner.
“I want to keep a sensitive eye toward what’s going on there,” Showalter said.
Extra bases
Tommy Pham [right groin injury] returned to the lineup, but only as the DH. He was “real close” to being able to play the outfield, Showalter said . . . Mark Vientos received a rare start at third base [in addition to batting second]. Showalter, generally a difficult grader of Vientos’ abilities, spoke encouragingly of his defense, as he has since spring training. “He’s made a lot of progress. He wants to be good. He knows he needs to settle into a position at some point,” Showalter said. “Mark has shown the want-to to attack whatever weakness might be there. I think we found that as he’s gotten his footwork in order, his arm has shown better.”
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
