Francisco Alvarez Set to Catch Consecutive Games, May Rejoin Mets Soon

On May 4, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, New York Mets designated hitter Francisco Alvarez celebrated a run scored during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Ahead of their matchup with the Padres, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza revealed that Alvarez will catch in back-to-back games for the Syracuse Mets starting tonight. If all goes as planned, he is expected to join the major league team during their upcoming homestand next week.

This rapid recovery is remarkable for Alvarez, who has consistently exceeded expectations when it comes to returning from injuries. Initially sidelined for six to eight weeks due to a meniscus tear in his right knee, he is now on track to be back in under four weeks. Alvarez attributes his swift healing to a positive mindset, stating, "I’m just a normal human with a different mindset," a philosophy that seems to be working in his favor.

Alvarez's rehabilitation has already shown promising signs; he excelled in his first game back, going 2-for-3 with a run batted in after doubling in both of his initial at-bats. However, he faced challenges in his second game, where he went hitless with three strikeouts but managed to catch seven innings and successfully threw out a runner attempting to steal second.

His return to the field hinges on his performance in these upcoming games, after which the team will assess whether he is ready to rejoin the Mets. Before his injury, Alvarez had a batting line of .241/.317/.393, with four home runs and a 104 wRC+ over 37 games. Recently, he has struggled, hitting just .214/.250/.286 with no home runs in 17 games since April 21. During his absence, Luis Torrens has taken over the catching responsibilities, posting a .231/.298/.308 line in 18 games while continuing to show proficiency in preventing stolen bases.