Mets’ Francisco Alvarez avoids worst after being struck in mask by foul tip

SAN DIEGO — Francisco Alvarez was dealing with dizziness but avoided a concussion after a foul tip to his face mask forced his early departure Wednesday.

Martín Maldonado’s foul tip struck Alvarez on the side of the mask in the fifth inning.

Alvarez was examined by the training staff and remained in the game.

He later was replaced behind the plate by Luis Torrens in the sixth inning of the 5-0 loss to the Padres at Petco Park.

“We put [Alvarez] through the concussion protocols and he passed those,” manager Carlos Mendoza said, noting that Alvarez was allowed to fly home with the team.

Alvarez is considered day to day as the Mets prepare to open a series against the Giants on Friday at Citi Field.

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Juan Soto was absent from Wednesday’s action, but all indications are he will return to the starting lineup in their next game.

A day after departing the game early with a contusion to his left foot caused by a foul ball. Soto was still in discomfort, according to Mendoza, but afterward said Soto was “better” and will likely play Friday.

Jeff McNeil started in right field, with Tyrone Taylor in center.

Francisco Alvarez has left the game in the 6th inning.

Alvarez took a ball to the mask in the fifth inning.

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“[Tuesday] night, walking out of here, it was sore for him just to walk,” Mendoza said.

Mendoza’s reconfigured lineup had Francisco Lindor batting third, with Mark Vientos in the No. 2 hole — where Lindor usually hits.

Soto, after a torrid stretch that earned him National League Player of the Month honors for June, has slumped since the All-Star break, going 5-for-39 (.128) at the plate with two homers.

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Mendoza said he warned players to avoid getting wrapped up in trade rumors as Thursday’s deadline approached.

“I try to tell them not to believe everything they read because there is so much going on — like everybody is getting traded,” Mendoza said. “Every team is interested in every player, so the biggest thing is for them to go play baseball. We have got a job to do and just try to block as much as possible.”