Double-A Binghamton is set to welcome Francisco Alvarez on Thursday for a rehab assignment. The Mets manager, Carlos Mendoza, revealed that the plan is for Alvarez to catch five-to-seven innings during his first game and gradually build up to back-to-back days. Mendoza expressed optimism about Alvarez’s progress, stating that it was a good sign that he was ready to play in games.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns spoke about the challenges Alvarez would face during his rehab. He highlighted that receiving pitches while catching would be the biggest challenge for him, given that he had surgery on April 25 and will continue to wear a brace on his left thumb. However, with Alvarez already taking batting practice regularly and starting a rehab assignment within five weeks of surgery, it seems like he could return sooner than expected.
Prior to his injury, Alvarez had a slow start offensively, with a .236/.288/.364 slash line, one home run, and eight RBIs. Despite this, the Mets could benefit from his power at the plate and defensive skills behind it. The team’s offensive struggles in the 2024 season make Alvarez’s return even more crucial.
Alvarez’s rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton marks an important step in his recovery process. With his progress and determination, he could be back playing for the Mets sooner than expected.
In conclusion, Francisco Alvarez is set to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Thursday. The plan is for him to gradually build up his catching skills as he catches five-to-seven innings during his first game. The Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed optimism about Alvarez’s progress while David Stearns highlighted the biggest challenge for him during rehab: receiving pitches while catching due to surgery on April 25. Despite this setback, Alvarez has been taking batting practice regularly and could return sooner than expected. Prior to his injury, Alvarez had slow offensive stats but still possessed power at the plate and strong defensive skills behind it.
