However, the loss of Alvarez is especially challenging for the Mets because it’s a reminder of one spot their depth failed them in the first two months last season. Remember, the catcher’s ligament tear in his thumb in April augured the Mets’ woeful start to the season: The team went 17-28 during the time he missed,

The Mets appear to be lacking some catching depth on paper. They’ll now put that to the test in reality with Francisco Alvarez out for the next 6-8 weeks. Alvarez will join pitchers Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea on the injured list at the start of the season with a fractured hamate bone in left hand.

New York Mets’ Francisco Alvarez suffers a hamate bone fracture, leaving the team scrambling. Discover how the Mets plan to cope without their star catcher.