Feb 27, 2025; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) runs to first base after hitting a single against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez was reinstated from the injured list on Tuesday ahead of their series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field.
It completes a remarkably quick recovery time for a player who tore his meniscus and underwent surgery just four weeks ago. The Mets initially set his return at a six-to-eight-week timetable.
Alvarez, 24, was already catching and participating in other baseball activities less than two weeks after his surgery.
“This guy is unbelievable,” manager Carlos Mendoza remarked.
Alvarez owns a .710 OPS with four home runs and 10 RBI in 37 games this season. He will reassume starting duties behind the plate in front of Luis Torrens, while Hayden Senger will be optioned to Triple-A.
Starting pitcher Kodai Senga was scratched from his start with Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday due to ulnar nerve irritation in his right arm, the team announced.
This is a new issue for the right-hander, who hit the injured list on April 28 with lumbar spine inflammation after significant struggles. He had a 9.00 ERA in five starts, and his place in the Mets’ rotation was in jeopardy before the back issue arose.
Senga participated in three previous rehab starts, allowing seven earned runs on 14 hits across 12 innings of work. Mendoza noted last week that his velocity dipped in his previous start, which was something the team had to keep an eye on.
The Mets’ rotation is also without Clay Holmes, who had been performing like an ace before breaking his leg during the Subway Series last month. Nolan McLean and Freddy Peralta have been inconsistent in their co-ace duties in the interim, while Christian Scott has begun to show that he can stick it in the majors. Revolving doors elsewhere have seen David Peterson, Sean Manaea, and Jonah Tong pick up significant innings, although with an opener taking the ball first.
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