NEW YORK — New York Mets star first baseman Pete Alonso entered Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds in the seventh inning to extend his team record for consecutive games played to 354.
Alonso’s streak appeared to be in jeopardy when he did not start Sunday’s 3-2 win over the Reds due to a right hand contusion.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said X-rays on Alonso’s hand were negative, and he labeled Alonso as day to day.
Alonso felt pain after his first two at-bats during Saturday’s game. According to Mendoza, Alonso got jammed a couple of times, and things worsened from there. On Saturday, he went 1-for-5.
Mendoza said that Alonso was feeling better Sunday morning and left open the possibility that the slugger could appear off the bench. That’s what happened in the top of the seventh, when Alonso replaced Mark Vientos at first base. Alonso struck out in his lone plate appearance.
The manager said he anticipated Alonso returning to the lineup on Monday.
“I should be,” Alonso said. “We will see how this recovers, but I am very optimistic, very excited for tomorrow.”
Sunday marked Alonso’s first absence from the starting lineup since May 30, 2024 (he also wasn’t in the lineup on May 6, 2024). He later played in that game, though.
His streak ranks second among active players behind Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (717).
“I really don’t care about the streak,” Alonso said. “I just want to be out there and play every day as long as I am able to. That’s just who I am. If I am able to play, I am going to strap it on and go do it. I was really happy my body allowed me to get out there today and I just want to keep being able to do that.”
Alonso, an All-Star this season, is slashing .276/.370/.522 with 21 home runs.
“When you are dealing with a hand injury, we thought it was best to get ahead of ourselves because it could linger,” Mendoza said.
(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / Imagn Images)