Mets first baseman Pete Alonso was hit on the wrist by a pitch Wednesday and hasn’t performed since. Preliminary X-rays got here again unfavourable and he was identified with a contusion, however the prognosis appears to be worsening. Because the membership was in Atlanta yesterday, he left for New York to endure additional testing, together with an MRI. This morning, Jon Heyman of The New York Submit tweets that there’s “actual concern” about Alonso hitting the injured record, probably for weeks. Equally, Will Sammon of The Athletic tweets that an IL stint appears possible.
An absence from Alonso is the very last thing that the membership wants in the intervening time. Having simply been swept by their division rivals in Atlanta, they’re now in fourth place within the Nationwide League East, 8.5 video games behind Atlanta for the lead. Regardless of their 30-33 report, they’re solely three video games again of a Wild Card spot in the intervening time, however shedding a participant like Alonso certainly wouldn’t assist issues.
The Mets got here into this season with their eyes set on competing, to place it mildly, as they ran up the best payroll in baseball historical past. Their struggles are as a consequence of varied gamers being damage or falling wanting expectations, however Alonso has continued to be remarkably constant in his fifth main league season. He’s already launched 22 residence runs and his .231/.326/.546 batting line interprets to a 139 wRC+, indicating he’s been 39% higher than league common. His wRC+ has been between 133 and 144 in every full season during which he’s participated.
Subtracting a bat of that caliber can be a blow to any lineup, however it will be particularly noteworthy for the scuffling Mets membership. With Alonso sitting out yesterday’s recreation, rookie Mark Vientos took over at first base. He has hit very properly within the minors however is slashing .162/.179/.243 within the majors this yr amid sporadic enjoying time. Maybe an everyday gig would assist him get right into a groove on the plate, but it surely wouldn’t be honest to anticipate him to easily bounce as much as Alonso’s stage briefly order.
The Mets have some important video games arising on the schedule, which they could need to navigate with out Alonso. They’re in Pittsburgh this weekend to play the Pirates, the crew at the moment holding the ultimate playoff spot within the Nationwide League. The remainder of the month sees them sq. off in opposition to the Yankees, Astros and Phillies, amongst others.
