The Mets have dealt with plenty of injuries during their abysmal start to the 2024 campaign.
On Wednesday afternoon, the blue and orange’s lengthy injury list got an addition when they had to place star closer Edwin Díaz on the 15-day IL due to a right shoulder impingement.
Another Mets star looked like he may be joining Díaz on the injured list but appears to have avoided a severe injury for the time being.
Pete Alonso’s X-ray comes back clean
During the bottom of the first inning of the Mets’ 10-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, star slugger Pete Alonso got hit on the right hand by a 93 mph fastball from James Paxton and was forced to exit the game.
According to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, the X-rays on Alonso’s right hand were negative. Still, the MRI results won’t be available until tomorrow, and they are needed to confirm that there is indeed no break.
Alonso is slashing .231/.308/.453 through 55 games while leading the squad with 12 home runs and is tied for second with 26 RBIs.
Who would replace Alonso if he does need to miss time
In a scenario where Alonso would have to miss some, the blue and orange have a pair of options to fill the void at first base.
One would be DJ Stewart. Stewart has struggled in 2024, slashing .194/.356/.366 across 44 games, with four home runs and 16 RBIs.
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Stewart has experience at first base, albeit relatively limited in the big leagues, and his recent struggles may result in the Mets’ second option being the one that would take over: Mark Vientos.
Vientos has hit the cover off the baseball, whether he has been in Triple-A or the major leagues. Through 13 MLB games, the 24-year-old is slashing .300/.364/.625 with three home runs and six RBIs.
The Connecticut native has experience playing first, and putting him there would finally give Vientos a clear path to everyday at-bats.
Time will tell if Alonso needs to miss any time at all, but the blue and orange should be pleased that they have a potential star in the making waiting in the wings.