Mets place catcher Francisco Alvarez on injured list with thumb sprain
The move was retroactive to Monday and deprives the Mets of a power bat as they seek to solidify their playoff position.
Alvarez was hurt sliding into second base during Sunday night's victory over Seattle in the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He did not travel with the team for Tuesday's series opener at Washington, instead returning to New York to be evaluated.
The Mets said Alvarez would be re-evaluated in 10 to 14 days for a potential return.
Since his return from a monthlong stint in the minors, Alvarez is batting .323 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 21 games.
The Mets recalled catcher Hayden Sanger from Triple-A Syracuse. New York also released right-hander Paul Blackburn.
The big-spending Mets have struggled in August to fall 5 1/2 games behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East entering Tuesday. They had a one-game lead over Cincinnati for the final NL wild-card spot.
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