In recent comments to the press, the manager spoke about last season, when the Venezuelan didn’t show his best form early in the season. Despite this situation, expectations are high for him to perform starting on Opening Day in March.

“Last year he made some drastic changes offensively, and it wasn’t easy for him and he struggled… He’s definitely in a good place here and I like where he’s at approach wise and we’ve just got to keep it that way.”

Although there are still several days before official action begins, there is a lot of excitement in Queens about what this season could bring — not just from Francisco Alvarez, but also from the star-studded roster of the New York Mets.

Francisco Alvarez’s 2025 Numbers

Despite a challenging start to the 2025 season marked by early injury setbacks and a brief demotion to the minors, Francisco Alvarez showcased remarkable resilience to finish with a .256 average, 11 home runs, and 32 RBIs.

After refining his approach in Syracuse, he returned to the big leagues with a much-improved .787 OPS, eventually becoming a key spark for the Mets‘ offense in the second half. His late-season surge, which included a .970 OPS over his final 17 games, proved that his work ethic is just as impactful as his raw power.

Beyond talent, team chemistry is often one of the keys to success. Peralta, one of the new faces on the team, took part in his first activities alongside his new teammates and spoke about having Alvarez by his side.

“He brings a ton of energy and upside. We’ve already started building a relationship—he caught my bullpen today and it felt great. That connection is important, but I don’t think it’ll take long. We should be fully in sync by the end of spring training,” Peralta said, via Mike Puma.

A new era in Queens

A new era is officially underway in Queens, as the arrival of high-profile reinforcements has transformed the atmosphere at Citi Field into one of championship-caliber expectation.

The roster has been electrified by the addition of All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette, whose dynamic bat and defensive flair promise to anchor the infield, alongside ace Freddy Peralta, who brings elite strikeout potential to the top of the rotation.

The excitement reached a fever pitch during the first NY Mets bullpen session of the spring, where the synergy between the new arms and homegrown star Francisco Alvarez was on full display.

As Alvarez continues to emerge as one of the league’s premier young catchers, his leadership in handling this revamped pitching staff will be the cornerstone of a season that fans hope leads straight to October.

However, Alvarez now faces a setback following an unfortunate incident in Sunday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. The team announced that Alvarez has been placed on the 10-day injured list (IL) and will be re-evaluated in 10 to 14 days due to a right thumb injury.

Alvarez sustained a sprain in his right thumb while sliding into home plate during the seventh inning. The result of his 49th hit of the season. The Mets are hopeful for his swift recovery and look forward to him fully showcasing his potential in the remainder of the regular season.

Despite the injury, Alvarez delivered an impressive performance against the Mariners, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs. This mirrors the kind of influence Aaron Judge had for the New York Yankees, with head coach Aaron Boone now tasked with reassessing his strategic approach amidst the challenges.

Mets make roster adjustments

As the Mets prepare for a crucial series against the Washington Nationals, they have announced strategic roster adjustments to compensate for the absence of Alvarez, who is sidelined with an injury. Head Coach Carlos Mendoza provided updates on Alvarez’s status and the team’s plans moving forward.

“He will need to go on a rehab assignment before rejoining us at the major league level,” Mendoza stated concerning Alvarez, who has been placed on the injured list. Despite concerns surrounding his condition, there is optimism that he will return for the latter part of the season.

In the interim, the Mets have called up catcher Hayden Senger to join the roster for Tuesday’s pivotal matchup against the Nationals. This game marks the beginning of a critical series, and the Mets are keen to secure victories as they aim for a favorable position in the standings.

During his time in Triple-A, Alvarez posted impressive stats which underscored his readiness to contribute significantly at the major league level. After facing various difficulties earlier this season with the main roster, the catcher has proven that he’s prepared to tackle any obstacles that arise for the Mets in the coming weeks.

Alvarez’s exceptional performance following his return has reassured fans that his initial struggles are behind him. His focus is now firmly on the future challenges the Mets will encounter for the rest of the season, and he’s poised to play a crucial role in the team’s success.

Following the game, Alvarez conveyed a heartfelt message to the fan base about this new chapter with the Mets, expressing gratitude for their support through his challenging times. “It felt really special to receive that reception from the fans. I’m incredibly appreciative of everyone here,” Alvarez shared with the media.

Alvarez shines in Mets’ victory over Angels

Displaying a return to form with the Mets, Alvarez’s statistics from the game against the Angels underscore his potential as a key contributor in the team’s future challenges, provided he can sustain this level of performance in upcoming games.

While Alvarez did not hit a home run for the Mets on Monday night, he made a significant impact by scoring two runs, securing a hit, and drawing two walks. His contributions were pivotal in the Mets’ 7-5 victory over a formidable Angels team, which holds a 49-51 record this season.

Brett Baty lauds Alvarez’s resilience

In the wake of his impressive performance against the Angels, Alvarez received praise from teammates, including Brett Baty. Speaking to the media after the game, Baty commended his teammate’s efforts and offered words of encouragement.

“It was a huge comeback from him [Alvarez]. I wish I could’ve swung for that double, but seeing him go through that situation and perform tonight was amazing. He thrives in big moments, and I love to see it,” Baty shared with the media.

The Mets‘ first two runs against the Nationals provided a much-needed boost for a team struggling at the plate during their Washington series. A return to form for Alvarez could be a significant relief for the lineup.

This wasn’t Alvarez’s first game back after recovering from a hand fracture—he also played in the opening game of the series, a narrow 4-5 loss marred by defensive errors from his Mets teammates.

The question remains: can Alvarez reclaim his role as the team’s catcher?

It’s possible, but it’s worth noting he’s now in direct competition with fellow Venezuelan Luis Torrens. Torrens, with eight MLB seasons under his belt, brings more experience to the table, although he’s only had one season in New York with the Mets.

The Mets need Alvarez back.

Last season, Alvarez contributed 39 runs in just 100 games, with his 73 hits proving valuable during the regular season. Though he fell short in some areas, his efforts helped propel the team to the postseason, where he made his second appearance with the Mets and played in 13 games.

“We have two catchers who we feel really good about,” Stearns told SNY in a press conference. “Mendy’s going to decide who plays every day and who gives us the best chance to win. We certainly think Alvy’s going to be a huge part of that.”

With that statement, Alvarez’s place as the Mets’ everyday starter doesn’t appear to be locked in — a decision that will ultimately be made by manager Carlos Mendoza, who also provided the latest update on Alvarez’s recovery.

How is Francisco Alvarez progressing?

According to Mendoza, Alvarez is still rehabbing and recently played in a Double-A game as the designated hitter alongside another teammate on rehab assignment. In that game, he looked much improved, going 4-for-4 with a home run.

Both Alvarez and Torrens are quality catchers, but Torrens brings a bit more MLB experience. The Venezuelan backstop has been in the majors for eight seasons compared to Alvarez’s three. That, combined with the fact that Mendoza himself is also Venezuelan, could make this a tough decision for the Mets’ skipper.

Torrens’ second act

While a final decision is still to come, Torrens has already appeared in 18 games this season — a jump from the 47 games he played last year, which included two postseason appearances. In contrast, Alvarez dominated the position in 2024, appearing in 100 games with 342 plate appearances.

In his postgame remarks, Alvarez said his teammates had “taken the momentum back” to win this critical Game 5. He also expressed confidence that the Mets are ready to claim the next two games in Los Angeles.

“We took momentum back today, so we have to keep going and take the two games left in Los Angeles,” Alvarez said. The Mets catcher had a standout performance, collecting three hits, scoring a run, and driving in an RBI in his four at-bats.

Game 5 was special for Francisco Alvarez, marking the second time he scored a run in the NLCS against the Dodgers, a feat he also accomplished in the Game 4 loss, where the Mets fell 10-2. He is now enjoying a small scoring streak in the series.

Alvarez’s Impact Behind the Plate

Alvarez’s work behind the plate was equally crucial, as he helped the Mets’ pitchers record 11 strikeouts while silencing the Dodgers’ bats. In contrast, the Dodgers’ pitching staff couldn’t manage a single strikeout during the game.

When is Mets-Dodgers Game 6?

The New York Mets will head to California to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 on October 20 at Dodger Stadium. The Mets already have one win at Dodger Stadium in this NLCS, a 7-3 victory in Game 2.

Fernando Tatis Jr., Bryce Harper, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are just a few of the players baseball fans can’t wait to see during the course of the season, while the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, and New York Mets are the odds-on favorites at BetMGM to win the World Series at year’s end.

Then there are the young up and coming MLB players that are surely going to catch fanattention during the course of the regular season. Here is a list of the top 5 MLB prospects for the 2022 season.

Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles

The number 1 draft pick in 2019, Adley Rutschman is hungry for the big time, coming off of a right tricep strain, Rutschman has all the tools to become a superstar in the MLB. Rutschman bats well in the strike zone and is a switch- hitter.

While playing in Triple-A ball the Orioles top pick batted .312/.405/.490 in 43 games. Listed on the 2022 season roster Rutschman is hoping to cut through the red tape and get some games during the season. MLB pundits have Rutschman playing by May.

Bobby Witt Jr., SS/3B, Kansas City Royals

The number 2 pick in the MLB draft in 2019, Bobby Witt Jr. was a stud during his days in Double and Triple-A, Witt Jr. has the makings of a power hitter and good defenseman mixing it up at shortstop and third base.

Pundits within the MLB have placed Bobby Witt Jr. in all-star class; if he breaks into the lineup in Kansas City sooner rather than later, Witt Jr. is expected to contribute to his team at the start of the season.

Julio Rodríguez, OF, Seattle Mariners

Julio Rodríguez has the makings of a big-time contributor for the Seattle Mariners, being able to hit well in Double A ball last season. Rodríguez has played in right field mostly but can switch to center when called upon.

MLB projections have him playing as early as May no later than June. Known for his big work ethic MLB scouts are high on Rodríguez and he could be a big star in the making.

Riley Greene, OF, Tigers

The fifth pick of the 2019 draft, has already played in Double and Triple A ball hitting 301/.387/.534 with 24 home runs. Scouts have rated him as a good hitter and Greene could end up playing center field for the Tigers to start his MLB career.

With no real reason why Riley Greene should be held back by the Tigers, look for the young man to make his MLB debut on opening day. (NOTE:Riley Greene has a fractured foot and is out of action with no timetable on his return)

Francisco Álvarez, C, Mets

It’s been a long time since Mets fans have had a good feeling about their team and with Francisco Álvarez in the mix, Queens, New York could be the place to be in the National League in 2022. Francisco Álvarez has raw power hitting 24 home runs in the minors in 2021.

With room to grow and a team that on paper looks bound for big things, look for Álvarez to get his games this season if all goes well. The prospect has a tremendous upside and will be one of the main young players to watch. “Make it to the bigs. Make it to the bigs. That’s the goal,” Álvarez told reporters, well it looks like it will happen in 2022.