Francisco Alvarez will not be joining Mets in London; potential return from IL next week possible

Francisco Alvarez will not be joining the Mets for their games in London this week, but manager Carlos Mendoza stated that there is a “good chance” the catcher will be activated off the injured list next week. Alvarez will stay back to continue getting at-bats, most likely in Triple-A, before making his return to the team. He began his rehab assignment with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies on May 30, following surgery to repair a UCL injury on his left thumb.

Mendoza mentioned that if Alvarez’s progress continues as it has been, there is a good chance he will be back in the lineup when the team returns from the UK. The Mets have a few days off before playing games against the Philadelphia Phillies in London and then returning home for a homestand against Miami and San Diego on June 11, which would align with their initial estimate of a six- to eight-week recovery timeline for Alvarez.

Alvarez is set to catch nine innings on Tuesday with Binghamton, his first time doing so since joining the squad last week. In the three games he has played with them so far, he has recorded two hits in eight at-bats, including a three-run home run. Prior to his injury, Alvarez was hitting .236 with one homer and four doubles in 16 games for the Mets.