Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

According to reports, New York Mets and MLB top prospect Francisco Álvarez underwent right ankle surgery. Álvarez posted a post-operation photo on his Instagram.

The Mets confirmed the news later in the evening, noting that “he underwent surgery that addressed cartilage damage resulting from the preexisting loose body.” He should be ready for spring training.

Álvarez had a loose body and cartilage damage in his right ankle causing him to miss time at the end of the season. Rather than having season-ending surgery in September, he opted to play through the injury in the hopes of making it to the majors.

After missing over two weeks, he returned to the Triple-A lineup on September 11. He would split time between catcher and DH hitting .362/.483/.596 with two doubles, three homers, and 10 RBI.

Seeing how the ankle did not affect his hitting, the injury/ineffectiveness of Darin Ruf, and Mark Vientos’ struggles, Álvarez was called up to the majors on September 30 for the pivotal Atlanta Braves series. He would go 0-for-8 with three strikeouts and a GIDP in the series.

Álvarez finished the season strong against the Washington Nationals. Over the three-game set, he was 3-for-7 with two walks, a double and a homer.

Partially on the strength of that strong finish, Álvarez would make the postseason roster as the Mets’ third catcher. He struck out in his only appearance in the series.

The expectation is Álvarez will not be permitted to participate in baseball-related activities over the next six weeks. 

With the lockout earlier this year, Álvarez reported early to spring training before this season and declared it was his goal to make it to the majors in 2022. Even with the ankle injury, he fulfilled that goal.

Certainly, Álvarez will have the goal of making the Mets 2023 Opening Day roster. On that front, it will be interesting to see what the Mets do with James McCann and/or Tomás Nido in the offseason.