The New York Mets' injury woes just got worse. Catcher Francisco Alvarez was forced to exit Tuesday night's game against the Detroit Tigers after suffering a right knee injury in the sixth inning.

The trouble started when Alvarez took a powerful swing at a two-strike fastball from Tigers right-hander Burch Smith. Immediately upon contact, the young catcher knew something was wrong. He used his bat for support, leaning over in visible discomfort before limping out of the batter's box.

Manager Carlos Mendoza and a trainer rushed out of the dugout, and it didn't take long for them to make the call. Alvarez walked gingerly to the dugout, favoring his leg as he disappeared into the clubhouse. Replays showed his back knee buckle slightly on the swing. The Mets later confirmed the injury is to his knee, with imaging scheduled for Wednesday.

This is a tough blow for a team already missing key starters Francisco Lindor, Luis Robert Jr., and Jorge Polanco—all on the injured list with no clear return date. Alvarez had been heating up at the plate, hitting .296 over his last eight games and raising his season average to .236. He even drove in a run Tuesday with a hustle double-play beat-out in the second inning and added a double in the fourth.

If Alvarez needs time off, backup catcher Luis Torrens—who entered after the injury and worked a walk in a three-run rally—would likely step into a full-time role. The Mets may also look to Hayden Senger as depth behind the plate.

For fans tracking the team's health, this is yet another reminder that staying prepared for anything is part of the game. Whether you're a player or a fan, having the right gear and mindset makes all the difference.