Francisco Alvarez needs surgery for a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb. But New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza says there's a chance the slugging catcher can play through the pain and help the team in the final weeks of the regular season.

Francisco Alvarez was removed from the Mets game on Sunday night after jamming his right hand into second base during the Little League Classic.

With the New York Mets facing a significant loss after Francisco Alvarez's injury, the team could explore how veteran catcher Austin Barnes, recently a free agent, could fit and provide invaluable support.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez and his wife, Nahomi Rojas, welcomed daughter Renata on June 12. Rojas had extensively documented her life from pregnancy to giving birth.