Cincinnati – Francisco Alvarez Returns to the Mets

Francisco Alvarez made a comeback this Friday against the Reds, having been activated from the injured list. This activation follows a rehabilitation stint after a sprained UCL in his right thumb, which came after he previously injured his left pinky.

While his thumb will eventually need surgery and his pinky might require some downtime, the 23-year-old seems determined to help his team. He’s really focused on making a comeback.

During his time with Triple-A Syracuse, Alvarez played five rehab games to show the Mets he could manage the pain and remain effective. In those games, he had a solid performance, hitting 19 times with eight strikeouts, even launching grand slams.

He hopes to postpone surgery, which could sideline him for about six to eight weeks, until the offseason. The goal is to avoid missing significant time, so he’s really pushing to stick with the season.

Despite his injuries, he found ways to adapt his throwing, minimizing the use of his thumb. Manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned that he was catching balls with his pinky, which still had a small fracture, before Alvarez consulted with the doctor.

Hours after being cleared to resume playing, Alvarez returned to the batting cage and showed he was back in form.

He had broken his finger earlier in the week but was already back in Syracuse’s lineup shortly after. There’s still some uncertainty about what version of Alvarez will show up, especially considering his past struggles this season. He had a delayed start due to a fractured left hamate bone during spring training, returned with less strength, and was sent back to Syracuse again in June.

After about a month, he came back and seemed to find his stride, with an OPS of 1.054 during a 21-game stretch, until he injured his thumb again.

As the playoffs approach, it’s clear the Mets are glad to have Alvarez back. Mendoza praised his efforts, emphasizing how significant they are for the team.