The New York Mets will be getting a boost to their lineup this week, as Fransisco Alvarez will be activated from the IL on Friday, per Mike Puma of the New York Post.
Alvarez was recovering from a thumb injury suffered in mid-August, then suffered an injury to his pinkie during his rehab assignment. Now, he’ll return to give the Mets a jolt at the right time.
Alvarez looking to pick up where he left off
Alvarez has appeared in just 56 games this season, slashing .265/.349/.438 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs. Alvarez had been swinging a hot bat prior to landing on the IL, slashing .326/.383/.628 with three home runs and 11 RBI in his last 15 games.
Alvarez was 4-19 with a grand slam in five rehab games with Triple-A Syracuse, and saw significant time behind the plate at catcher, per SNY’s Philip Martinez.
New York has been marred by inconsistent play for an extended period of time, so the hope for them is that Alvarez can deepen the lineup with Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo. At 75-65, the Mets need to get hot heading into the final stretch of the season.
The Mets are gonna need Alvarez to pick up where he left off when he returns, the team is currently in sole possession of the third Wild Card spot in the National League, and will begin a pivotal series with the Cincinnati Reds, who are 5.0 games back of the Mets for that last Wild Card spot.