May 1, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets injured catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) watches from the dugout during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
(Queens, NY) – While the Mets season has gone off the rails in recent weeks, there’s been a conspicuous absence from the lineup. Young catcher Francisco Alvarez, one of the team’s most promising young players, has been out since late April with a thumb injury that required surgery.
Now, he’s getting closer to a return.
“He’s doing a lot more nowadays,” manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters prior to the team’s series finale with Cleveland. “He’s already catching, swinging the bat, hitting off the tee, hitting soft toss. I think he’s scheduled to take BP with us when we get back home over the weekend. Progressing well. So, yeah, a lot of good reports on him.”
Alvarez injured his left – or catching – thumb. So it’s encouraging to hear that Alvarez has been making progress in that regard, according to Mendoza. “He’s got a splint there that is helping, but [Tuesday] he caught. He’s scheduled to catch off a velo machine today. And like I said, BP on the field this weekend, so progressing well.”
Prior to using the velocity machine, Alvarez was playing catch and participating in one-handed hitting drills. There’s hope he will take batting practice this weekend, if all progresses well. That arguably puts Alvarez on track for a return to MLB action around mid-way through June.
It would be a welcome sight for the Mets, who have struggled to score runs overall – especially given how backup catchers Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido have provided little in his stead.
