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Álvarez took batting practice at Citi Field on Monday and is expected to see action in minor league games between Wednesday and Thursday. Due to the short time away – barely a week and a half – the young catcher would not need an extensive adaptation period before returning to the big team. The Mets manager, Carlos Mendoza, was surprised by the rapid evolution of the Venezuelan.“I couldn’t believe it when they sent me a video of him batting. I thought: ‘There’s no way this kid is swinging’,” he commented.
Álvarez’s medical situation means he will be able to continue playing as long as he can tolerate the pain. Surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament will be inevitable, but it is scheduled for the winter, with enough time for the catcher to be ready for the 2026 Spring Training.
Before the injury, Álvarez was having a key offensive impact for the Mets, with a line of .323/.408/.645 in 21 games since his previous return from the minors. His absence has forced the team to alternate between Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger, unable to replicate the offensive production of the Venezuelan.
The Mets’ plan is to reincorporate him as the starting catcher, although they do not rule out using him as a designated hitter if the action behind the plate limits his defensive performance. This would open an internal debate about the batting rotation, which includes the Dominican Starling Marte and the young Mark Vientos. “It’s a tough decision,” Mendoza acknowledged. “But if he’s swinging like he was before he got hurt, you have to find a way to get him in the lineup as much as possible.” With his imminent return, Álvarez represents a ray of hope for a Mets team looking to stay competitive in the final stretch of the season.
