Mets’ Pete Alonso heads home for MRI after being hit by pitch

ATLANTA – Pete Alonso took a detour back to New York on Thursday for an MRI exam, a day after he was drilled by a pitch in the left wrist and forced to depart in the first inning against the Braves.

The Mets first baseman underwent a CT scan in Atlanta in the morning, according to manager Buck Showalter, and then flew to New York for the additional test.

Initial X-rays on the wrist, taken on Wednesday, were negative according to the team.

Alonso expressed optimism after those X-rays that his absence from the lineup would be minimal.

“As far as I know he is still encouraged,” Showalter said before the Mets faced the Braves at Truist Park. “We’ll see what [the MRI] shows.”

Mark Vientos received the start at first base in Alonso’s absence.

Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets walks to the dugout after he is hit by pitch in the first inning

Pete Alonso exited Wednesday’s game after being hit in the wrist with a pitch.Getty Images

Mark Canha played the position after Alonso left the game the previous night.

Among the players the Mets can least afford to lose for an extended stretch is Alonso, whose 22 homers entering Thursday led MLB.

“We haven’t gotten any definitive thoughts one way or the other, but we are trying to get definitive about it,” Showalter said. “My hope is he flies to Pittsburgh [on Friday] and plays for us.”

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) reacts after being hit by a pitch

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso reacts after being hit by a pitch.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Alonso was drilled with a 97 mph fastball by Charlie Morton.

The Braves right-hander later sought out Alonso to apologize and check on him.

Francisco Alvarez started for the first time as the DH — batting second in the lineup — with Omar Narvaez at catcher.

Daniel Vogelbach, the Mets’ primary DH against right-handers, was on the bench in the midst of a 1-for-19 skid that lowered his OPS to .639 for the season.