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

The New York Mets losing Francisco Alvarez to the injured list is a brutal blow, no doubt about it.

Calvin Faucher, Ronny Henriquez and Lake Bachar should continue to split closing duties for Miami while Bender is sidelined.