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.

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,

Alvarez stayed in the game after his double in the seventh inning. He did not come out to catch in the eighth inning of the Mets’ 7-3 win over the Mariners in the MLB Little League Classic. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Alvarez would return to New York for an MRI.