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.

WASHINGTON — Just as he’s emerged as one of the Mets’ hottest hitters, catcher Francisco Alvarez is headed to the injured list with a right thumb injury sustained in a headfirst slide Sunday night, a source confirmed to The Athletic. The move was first reported by the New York Post.