WASHINGTON — Just as he’s emerged as one of the Mets’ hottest hitters, catcher Francisco Alvarez is headed to the injured list with a right thumb injury sustained in a headfirst slide Sunday night, a source confirmed to The Athletic. The move was first reported by the New York Post.

WASHINGTON — 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, manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday.

The New York Mets placed catcher Francisco Alvarez on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right thumb UCL sprain.