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.

The New York Mets will be without catcher Francisco Alvarez for the time being, and perhaps the remainder of the season, as they attempt to maintain a hold on a playoff spot. The team announced on Tuesday that they had placed Alvarez on the injured list with a right thumb UCL sprain,