Kansas City, Mo. — Francisco Alvarez is excelling in the minor leagues, while the timeline for his return to the Mets remains uncertain.

This past Sunday, the catcher hit his third home run in just two games for Triple-A Syracuse and currently boasts a 1.196 OPS in July.

Mets officials have noted his growth behind the plate, particularly praising his performance in starting pitching, which has caught the attention of Brandon Sprout.

Alvarez was sent to Syracuse on June 22 to refine various aspects of his game.

“It’s all about his work ethic from day one, and just how positive he remains,” said coach Carlos Mendoza, reflecting on the Mets’ recent 3-2 loss to the Royals. “It’s impressive. He’s doing everything we ask of him.”

When asked about Alvarez potentially being recalled right after the All-Star break, Mendoza mentioned he would discuss this with Mets president of baseball operations, David Stearns.

“The good thing is, Alvarez is making strides in ways we’ve hoped for,” Mendoza added. “He’s been diligent in watching film, hitting the ball well, and significantly improving defensively.”

Mendoza also mentioned that Jose Boto, who was on the injured list until July 1, will be pitching in a minor league rehab game for Single-A St. Lucie on Tuesday. His performance will be assessed for a possible return to the Mets.

Additionally, Max Cranic was evaluated on Thursday to determine his next steps after being placed on the injured list due to tension in his right elbow last month.

Mendoza plans to wait until mid-week to announce his starting pitching lineup for when play resumes after the All-Star break. A key factor will be David Peterson’s involvement in the All-Star Game and how Sean Mania feels following his 65-pitch outing on Sunday, marking his season debut.