Alvarez’s Remarkable Return to the Field
At one point, it seemed like Francisco Alvarez might need a little extra help to get back to batting. After all, he had a torn UCL ligament in his right thumb, which necessitates surgery, and a broken pinky on his left hand. Yet, against the odds, he practiced batting and managed to hit a solid drive to center-right field.
“I don’t hesitate,” commented coach Carlos Mendoza before the Mets overwhelmed the Marlins 19-9 on Friday. “He doesn’t shy away from anything. He’s letting it all out. From what I observed today, he looks just like a normal player.”
The 23-year-old hurt his pinky when he was essentially reintegrating into the game during his first rehab match with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. He met with the doctor the following day and was quick to get the green light to resume activities.
“As soon as the doctor gives him the okay,” Mendoza recounted, “the first thing out of his mouth was, ‘Is it alright? Can I start hitting now?'”
And sure enough, within ten minutes, he was in the batting cage taking swings.
After a few rounds of batting practice on Friday, Alvarez sprinted the bases before donning catching gear for a bullpen session. Of course, his left hand is missing a functional pinky, making it a bit more complicated for him to catch. His right hand, meanwhile, needs to prove that he can throw just fine without the thumb. Catching and strategy coach Glenn Sherlock expressed his surprise after watching Alvarez catch during a bullpen session on Thursday.
“I’ve never encountered anyone quite like him,” Sherlock said.
The Mets are still waiting to see how Alvarez’s hands heal before they can finalize his rehabilitation assignments. But the initial signs have been quite promising.
In other news, Tylor Megill received at least one rehab start. Recovering from a sprained right elbow, he made his fourth minor league start on Thursday, walking four batters and allowing three runs over four innings while throwing 70 pitches for Triple-A Syracuse.
Jesse Winker, still dealing with a back issue, went 0-0 as DH in his second rehab game with Low-A St. Lucie and was later replaced by Jose Siri, who is recovering from a broken tibia, as a pinch runner six innings in. In his second game back, Siri went 2-2.
Brett Baty stepped in at second base with Sterling Marte as DH, while centerfielders Tyron Taylor and Jeff McNeill got a day off.
Mendoza explained that McNeill’s break was normal, especially given the demanding schedule of 16 games in 16 days. Despite a shoulder scare last week, Mendoza assured that McNeill’s shoulders are fine.
In a feel-good moment, base coach Antoan Richardson was honored pre-match with the Guardian’s “Daily Champion Award.” This award recognizes those who “make meaningful differences in the community, inspire happiness, and show up when needed.” Richardson leads a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Bahamian youth pursue their athletic and academic goals.
