MINNEAPOLIS — Francisco Alvarez’s right hand had a contusion, but the initial diagnosis was he avoided the worst Sunday.

The rookie catcher was drilled on the outside of the hand by a Pablo Lopez pitch in the fifth inning of the Mets’ 2-0 victory over the Twins at Target Field.

Alvarez departed before the bottom of the seventh when the soreness persisted and received X-rays that were negative, according to manager Buck Showalter.

Alvarez indicated he’s unsure if he will need further imaging on Monday.

Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil were also hit by pitches.

The Mets have been hit by 94 pitches this season, which leads the National League.

Showalter plans to employ a six-man rotation this week due to the absence of a day off.

The Mets are in a stretch in which they are scheduled to play 17 straight days.

Jose Butto is scheduled to start Tuesday’s game against the Diamondbacks and Showalter was noncommittal about Wednesday, but acknowledged that Joey Lucchesi is a possibility.

Butto took a shutout into the seventh inning on Wednesday in Washington before allowing two runs.

The Mets will wear first responder caps during Monday’s game at Citi Field, on the anniversary of 9/11.

Mike Piazza will be in attendance and participate in pregame activities that will include the FDNY, NYPD, Port Authority Police Department, Department of Sanitation and Department of Correction.

The Mets will honor the memory of those who perished on Sept. 11, 2001.

Showalter planned to find work for Adam Ottavino regardless of how Sunday’s game unfolded, but as it turned out the situation dictated using the veteran reliever.

Ottavino, who hadn’t pitched since the previous Sunday, worked a scoreless ninth for his ninth save.

Ottavino and Brooks Raley both figure into the Mets’ plans for next season, so Showalter has been judicious in his usage of both veterans during this final stretch with the team removed from playoff contention.

Mets batters struck out 16 times, one short of their season high — the team struck out 17 times on July 8 in San Diego. The Mets also struck out 16 times on June 8 at Atlanta.