Francisco Alvarez Struggles in Second Rehab Game for Triple-A Syracuse

After a promising debut with Triple-A Syracuse, Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez faced a challenging night in his second rehab game, as he continues to recover from right knee meniscus surgery. Alvarez finished the game without a hit, going 0-for-4 at the plate, which included three strikeouts, one of which saw him caught looking. His other opportunity resulted in a groundout to shortstop.

Since undergoing surgery on May 14, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has emphasized the need for Alvarez to demonstrate his ability to play consecutive games in the minors before being reinstated from the injured list. In his absence, Luis Torrens has stepped into the starting catcher role. Torrens recently signed a two-year contract extension worth $11.5 million, just days before Alvarez's injury occurred.

Despite struggling offensively with a batting average of .220 and an on-base percentage of .287, Torrens excels defensively, ranking in the 94th percentile among all qualified MLB catchers for fielding run value, according to Baseball Savant. Additionally, designated hitter Jorge Polanco remains sidelined due to ongoing recovery from Achilles bursitis and a wrist issue, and he was not in the lineup tonight.

Outfielder Nick Morabito also did not play, leaving Ryan Clifford to serve as the designated hitter, though he too failed to record a hit. In a close game, the Syracuse Mets managed to secure a 3-2 victory against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. For the RailRiders, top Yankees prospect George Lombard Jr. stood out with a 2-for-4 performance, while Spencer Jones contributed with a hit and a walk.

On a positive note for Alvarez, he successfully caught a runner stealing for the second consecutive game, showcasing his defensive skills during his rehab stint.