Francisco Alvarez injury can trickle down to an important NY Mets roster decision

For the second year in a row, a Francisco Álvarez left-hand injury has left the New York Mets and their fanbase reeling. Losing a power-hitting catcher for the first month (or more) of the 2025 season wasn’t exactly part of the plan. And with Opening Day just two weeks away, the team’s options to fill that gap are limited—none of them will likely provide the kind of impact fans were expecting from that position. So, with Álvarez out, Stearns has no choice but to find offense elsewhere—and Brett Baty’s scorching hot spring is making it abundantly clear where he should look.

Before this injury, Brett Baty had already put together a strong case to make the Mets' Opening Day roster.

Baty’s spring training performance has been nothing short of impressive, hitting .375 with a .444 OBP and a 1.153 OPS over 24 at-bats. Out of his 9 hits, 4 have been extra-base knocks. He’s driven in 5 RBIs and has drawn as many walks as strikeouts—3. While Baty is a natural third baseman, he’s seen some time at second base in recent games, likely because with Mark Vientos locked in at third, why not give it a shot? Mets fans are already watching the decline of Jeff McNeil, and if Baty can keep this up, he might be the offensive replacement the team needs.

For the Baty skeptics—trust me, I’ve shared your frustration over the years and get why you need to see him produce when it counts—let me offer one comparison that should make you think twice if he’s sent to Houston on Opening Day. It took Mark Vientos over 1,800 minor league at-bats and three call-ups (one in 2022, one in 2023) before things finally clicked for him in his breakout 2024 season. Sometimes, prospects just need time for the game to slow down and everything to fall into place. If the Mets can give Vientos that time, why not Baty, especially when his current performance suggests he might be closer than we think?

With Álvarez’s injury leaving a sizable hole in the lineup and no replacement catcher capable of picking up the offensive slack, the Mets can’t afford to stand still. Baty’s hot spring training could very well help Stearns make the final decision on who earns that last roster spot, especially with his impressive numbers standing out in a crowded field. While Baty is still developing, his potential to contribute now is undeniable. If Stearns is looking for someone who can make an immediate impact, Baty’s the answer. The question is whether Stearns will pull the trigger and make it official.