Injuries are piling up faster than a bullpen meltdown for the New York Mets, and fantasy baseball managers are feeling the heat. The latest blow? Star catcher Francisco Alvarez is sidelined for 6–8 weeks with a torn meniscus. That adds to an already crowded injury list featuring Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and the newly acquired Luis Robert Jr. If you're scrambling for answers, you're not alone—let's break down what this means for your roster.
With Alvarez out, backup catcher Luis Torrens steps into the everyday role. While Torrens is a defensive standout behind the plate, his bat tells a different story: he's hitting just .216 with a .567 OPS this season, and his 2025 numbers (.226, .629 OPS) don't inspire much confidence. For fantasy purposes, you'll want to look elsewhere. Two names to consider on the waiver wire: Ryan Jeffers, who's batting .299 with a .948 OPS and six homers (owned in about 50% of leagues), and Dillon Dingler, who offers solid contact and a .774 OPS with seven homers (still widely available at 52% free).
The Mets dodged a bullet with Juan Soto, who left Wednesday's game after fouling a ball off his right ankle. An MRI came back negative, and he's listed as day-to-day. Expect him to return as soon as Thursday, likely serving as the designated hitter to keep his bat in the lineup while his ankle recovers. Soto remains an untouchable asset in all formats.
Francisco Lindor, meanwhile, is still on track to miss another month. The Mets have been filling the gap with Bo Bichette and Brett Baty, but Lindor's value has dipped due to poor performance before the injury. If you're holding him, know that at his best, he's an MVP-caliber player—though a return to that form in 2026 seems unlikely given the time lost.
As for Luis Robert Jr., his fantasy value has hit rock bottom. He's been replaced by AJ Ewing, who you should grab off waivers immediately if he's still available. Robert Jr.'s struggles make him a drop candidate in most leagues.
Despite the injury chaos, the Mets have gone 7–4 in their last 11 games, improving to a 17–25 record. It's not pretty, but it's progress. The team still has a long road ahead, sitting at +290 to make the playoffs. For fantasy managers, the key takeaway is patience: Alvarez is worth stashing for his elite power potential, but don't expect immediate returns. Soto is a must-start as soon as he's back, and Lindor is a hold-and-hope situation. The rest? It's time to pivot and find value where you can.