Francisco Alvarez Avoids Serious Injury After HBP, Continues Playing Through Multiple Ailments

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez appears to have avoided serious injury after being hit by a 99.8 mph sinker on his left arm during Tuesday's 8-3 win over the Padres. Despite exiting the game immediately, Alvarez was later seen in the dugout icing his arm and laughing, with manager Carlos Mendoza noting the pitch struck his triceps muscle area, not the elbow. The Mets do not plan X-rays, deeming the injury not serious. This incident adds to Alvarez's recent injury history, as he is already playing through a sprained UCL in his right thumb and a broken left pinky. He has been hit by four pitches in the Majors this season, plus another that fractured his pinky at Triple-A. Alvarez remains a key offensive player for the Mets, boasting a .255/.340/.426 slash line with eight home runs in 66 games.