After a disastrous Wednesday, the New York Mets received some good news on Thursday. Per reporters, including Andy Martino of SNY, A CT scan on Pete Alonso‘s right hand came back negative, meaning there is no fracture in his finger.
https://twitter.com/martinonyc/status/1796209964354076906
Alonso was visibly in pain after getting hit with a mid-90s fastball by Dodgers pitcher James Paxton. Though he walked to first base, he immediately left the game with trainers. But with Thursday’s news, it seems the Mets and Alonso dodged a bullet as the first baseman is considered day-to-day.
New York Mets Receive Positive Update on Pete Alonso’s Finger Injury
Alonso leaving the game came less than an hour after the team placed Edwin Díaz on the injured list with a shoulder impingement. The thought of also losing Alonso would have been just another blow to the Mets in what has been an awful May.
Pete Alonso is coming out of the game after being hit by a pitch pic.twitter.com/4U5SvMwlNg
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 29, 2024
Though injuries are never a positive development, Alonso might benefit from missing a few games. The slugger has struggled this season, hitting just .231/.308/.453 with 12 homers. He hasn’t been awful, as evident by a 122 OPS+ and good walk/strikeout rates.
However, he has not provided the offensive thump that he has in the past. Alonso’s Hard-Hit percentage, Average Exit Velocity, and Ground Ball percentage are at career-low rates. The Mets need at least one star to step up and produce. Despite the great OPS+, Alonso’s production is certainly part of New York’s problem. Perhaps taking a couple games off to rehab his finger will provide a mental and physical reset.
Drafted in 2017 in the 2nd round as a 17-year-old.
Four full seasons in the Minors.
Couple short MLB stints in '22 and '23Great to see Mark Vientos starting to find himself at the MLB level.pic.twitter.com/HT05GtEufw
— Farm To Flushing (@FarmToFlushing) May 25, 2024
With Alonso out, Mark Vientos will see the lion’s share of time at first. Like Alonso, Vientos is a bat-first righty slugger. And while he came up as a third baseman and has limited experience at first, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza appears comfortable with him filling in.
“I feel good [having him play first base],” Mendoza said. “He’s played there before; he’s had reps and I feel comfortable if we need to. We have to wait for Pete first.”
In 44 plate appearances this year, Vientos has produced a 187 OPS+ with three homers and a .300/.364/.625 slash line. Though Alonso isn’t expected to miss much time, Vientos will have a chance to cement his spot in the lineup with solid production.
Main Photo Credits: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
