New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (thumb) appeared to injure his thumb diving into second base after doubling in the seventh inning of the Little League Classic on Sunday. He will return to New York on the off-day, Monday, to undergo an MRI. Alvarez is considered day-to-day at this time, and fantasy managers will want to wait for the MRI results to decide how to proceed with Alvarez. He's been on fire of late at the plate, slashing .450/.450/1.050 in his last seven games, which have spanned 20 at-bats, during which he's smacked three home runs and accumulated nine RBI, and seven runs scored. On the season, he is producing a .265/.349/.438 slash line and remains a low-end catcher to start in redraft leagues, but that could change if the MRI results come back clean and he continues to stay on fire at the plate.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez and outfielder/designated hitter Starling Marte will both get the day off for Thursday's contest against the division-rival Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. Luis Torrens will be behind the plate and hit ninth, while Ronny Mauricio will serve as the DH and bat out of the seven-hole against Braves right-hander Bryce Elder. It's a good day for Alvarez to take off after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in another disappointing loss on Wednesday. Marte has been swinging it well of late and is currently riding a modest four-game hitting streak (7-for-17 with two homers). Since returning from a stay in the minors, Alvarez has swung it well, going 14-for-50 (.280) with three home runs, four doubles, a triple and eight RBI in 17 games played since July 21. Neither Torrens nor Mauricio have ever faced Elder in their careers.

MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (head) passed concussion protocols after leaving Wednesday's loss to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park after taking a check-swing foul ball off his catcher's mask in the fifth inning. Alvarez finished the inning but was replaced by Luis Torrens in the sixth inning in the eventual 5-0 loss. DiComo adds that the young backstop will be permitted to fly back to New York with the team, but it remains to be seen if he'll be back in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the San Francisco Giants after a day off on Thursday. The 23-year-old was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts before leaving. Since coming back up from the minor leagues on July 21, Alvarez has swung the bat well, going 6-for-21 with a homer, two RBI and six runs scored. It sounds like Alvarez should be able to avoid going on the seven-day concussion IL.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday. Alvarez was sent down to the minors in late June after struggling during the first few months of the season. He slashed .236/.319/.333 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 35 games before being demoted. Alvarez has been crushing it in the minors with 11 homers and 25 RBI in 28 games. He has earned himself another chance behind the plate in New York. He figures to split up time behind the plate with Luis Torrens. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Alvarez in case he carries over his hot bat back into the majors.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez came out of the game early on Tuesday at Triple-A Syracuse due to a heat/dizziness issue, according to SNY's Andy Martino. Alvarez went 0-for-1 at the plate before being replaced by Jakson Reetz behind the plate. It's unclear if Alvarez will be feeling good enough to return to the lineup for Syracuse on Wednesday. The Mets optioned the 23-year-old backstop to the minors on Sunday after he slashed .236/.319/.333 with a 27.5 percent strikeout rate in 35 games with the Mets this year. It didn't help his cause that he fractured the hamate bone in his left hand back in spring training, which kept him out for the first month of the regular season. Alvarez will work on his swing mechanics at Syracuse before rejoining the big-league club at some point in the second half. In the meantime, Luis Torrens will be New York's starting catcher.

The New York Mets have optioned catcher Francisco Alvarez to Triple-A Syracuse and recalled fellow backstop Hayden Senger, the team announced. It's a surprising fall from grace for Alvarez, who has been the Mets' primary catcher since 2023. Alvarez swatted 25 home runs and drove in 63 runs that year and continued to produce solid numbers during an injury-shortened 2024. However, this season hasn't gone well for the 23-year-old. It started poorly when he suffered a fractured hamate bone in his hand during spring training. Alvarez didn't debut until April 25 as a result, and he has since batted an underwhelming .236/.319/.333 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 138 plate appearances. While Alvarez did go yard and collect two hits in a win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, it wasn't enough to save him from a demotion. For now, the Mets will rely on Luis Torrens as their main backstop. Torrens has minimal offensive upside, having hit .232/.309/.344 with one HR and 13 RBI in 139 trips to the plate.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Alvarez will get a rest day here after starting in each of the last two games. He has struggled at the plate recently, which could be part of the reason he's on the bench again. Alvarez is 1-for-13 over his last four games. In his absence, Luis Torrens will start behind the plate and bat sixth versus left-hander Chris Sale. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Alvarez out of their lineups ahead of first pitch.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is not in Saturday's lineup when they continue a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The backstop has started in each of the past two games. During this two-game stretch, Alvarez has gone 0-for-6 at the plate with two walks and two strikeouts. This afternoon, the Mets will give Luis Torrens the nod behind the dish. He will bat in the eight hole. Over his previous 17 games, Alvarez has struggled at the plate, posting a modest .207/.303/.293 line with just two doubles and one home run. Fantasy managers should expect Alvarez to return to the starting nine on Sunday. The Mets are best to fade in DFS this afternoon as they will face Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Rasmussen has been one of the top pitchers in the American League this season, posting a stellar 2.22 ERA.

The New York Mets announced on Tuesday that they placed catcher Francisco Alvarez on the paternity list and recalled catcher Hayden Senger from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Alvarez will be away from the team for a few days and probably won't return until sometime this weekend for a series at home against the Tampa Bay Rays. With Alvarez out, veteran Luis Torrens will do the catching and hit sixth on Tuesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals and tough left-hander MacKenzie Gore. Senger will serve as New York's backup for a few days. Alvarez got a late start to the 2025 season due to injury and is currently hitting .255 (26-for-102) but with only two home runs, 10 RBI and six runs scored in 114 trips to the plate. Injuries also slowed him down last year, but the 23-year-old hit 25 homers in his first full MLB season in 2023.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fantasy managers don't need to panic as this appears to be a routine rest day for Alvarez. This doesn't come as a surprise after Alvarez went 0-for-5 with a walk and two strikeouts in a 13-inning loss on Friday. Luis Torrens will cover behind the plate and bat sixth versus right-hander Tony Gonsolin on Saturday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly and expect Alvarez to be back in the lineup on Sunday.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez and third baseman Mark Vientos are taking a seat on Wednesday when they play the final game of a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Alvarez has been in the starting nine in each of the past three contests. During this stretch, the backstop has posted a strong .444/.545/.444 slash line with one RBI. Vientos has been swinging a hot bat over his last five games, holding a .316/.381/.316 line and will be given a typical day off. Fantasy managers should expect both Alvarez and Vientos to return to the starting nine on Friday when they begin a series against the Chicago Cubs. This afternoon, Luis Torrens and Brett Baty will be behind the dish and cover the hot corner, respectively. The Mets are worth a look in DFS facing Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez will take a seat in the first game of their doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Alvarez was given the start on Friday and went 3-for-5 at the plate. The young backstop missed nearly the first month of the season, recovering from a bone fracture in his left hand. Through his first six games of the season, Alvarez has posted a .269/.321/.423 slash line with one double and one home run. He has brought in six RBI and held a 9:2 K:BB. Fantasy managers should expect the 23-year-old to return to the starting nine for Game 2 this evening. In that match, he is set to face St. Louis right-hander Andre Pallante. In Game 1, Luis Torrens will be behind the dish and bat in the six-hole. He is worth a look in DFS facing Erick Fedde, who carries a 4.68 ERA.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez and second baseman Jeff McNeil are both resting on Saturday in St. Louis against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Luis Torres is catching and batting eighth, while Luisangel Acuna is at the keystone and is hitting seventh against Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde. Both Alvarez and McNeil recently made their season debuts after beginning the 2025 season with injuries. Alvarez has gone just 4-for-21 with a homer, double, three RBI, two walks and eight strikeouts in his first five games of the year. McNeil has been better, going 6-for-19 with a homer, three RBI and a run scored in his first five games played. Of the two replacements on Saturday, Acuna is the better DFS sleeper pick. The 23-year-old Venezuelan infielder has yet to homer in his 73 at-bats this year, but he's batting .288/.342/.356 with seven stolen bases.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is on the bench ahead of Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. Alvarez started the first two games of this series after being activated off the injured list on Friday. In those two games, Alvarez has gone 2-for-8 with a home run and two RBI. His power ability alone makes Alvarez worth a look in 12-team formats. It's not always easy to find a productive option at catcher, but Alvarez has plenty of potential with the bat. On Sunday, Luis Torrens will cover behind the plate and bat seventh against left-hander Mitchell Parker.

The New York Mets announced on Friday that they have reinstated catcher Francisco Alvarez (hand) from the 10-day injured list and optioned catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Alvarez is making his 2025 debut for the Mets on Friday against the division-rival Washington Nationals and right-hander Jake Irvin, doing the catching and batting seventh. The 23-year-old backstop is getting a late start to the 2025 season after having surgery to fix a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. In his 10 minor-league rehab games, Alvarez went 7-for-39 at the plate with one home run. The Venezuelan catcher also missed extended time due to injuries in 2024 and hit just 11 home runs, but he clubbed a career-high 25 round-trippers and drove in 63 in 2023 in his first full big-league season. Alvarez is New York's starting catcher with high-end power at the catching position.

MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that if New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (hand) gets through his final minor-league rehab game with Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday without issue, he could come off the 10-day injured list to make his season debut on Friday against the division-rival Washington Nationals. In his nine rehab games down on the farm, the 23-year-old backstop has gone 7-for-35 with a home run. Alvarez is making his return from hamate surgery on his left field, and while the Met will probably ease him back in behind the dish when he returns to the active, there's no debate that he's their full-time starter when he's healthy. The Venezuelan catcher also dealt with injuries last year and played in only 100 games, but he hit 25 home runs and drove in 63 in 2023 and has high-end power at the position. Luis Torrens will return to backup duties when Alvarez makes his 2025 debut.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (hand), who is recovering from hamate-bone surgery, could return from the 10-day injured list during the team's current homestand, which begins on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals and runs through Wednesday, April 23. Alvarez is scheduled to catch back-to-back nine-inning games at Double-A Binghamton on Friday and Saturday. If those games go well, manager Carlos Mendoza said the team will have "a conversation." In five minor-league games to this point, the 23-year-old backstop has one 4-for-17 with a homer and three RBI. It will be interesting to see how Alvarez fares from a power standpoint after having surgery on his left hand. He showed in 2023 that he has the ability to be one of the better power-hitting catchers by clubbing 25 round-trippers, but he came back to Earth in 2024 due to injuries and hit 11 homers in just 100 games.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (wrist) is "fine" after being hit by a pitch during Tuesday's rehab outing. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted that the young backstop will continue his rehab assignment with Double-A on Wednesday evening and is slated to be behind the dish. This is an excellent sign as the 23-year-old was removed from Tuesday's contest after the HBP. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his progress as he could be in the mix to return to the majors sometime next week, if he continues progressing well in his rehab outing. Last summer, Alvarez held a .237/.307/.403 slash line across 100 contests. However, during the 2023 season, Alvarez posted a promising .437 SLG with 25 long balls across 123 contests. When he is cleared to return, he should be viewed as a low-end No. 1 catcher.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (hand) will shift his minor-league rehab assignment from Single-A St. Lucie to Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday, instead of Triple-A Syracuse, because of weather concerns, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. In three rehab games with St. Lucie, the 23-year-old backstop went 1-for-10 with a run scored, two walks and three strikeouts. He is recovering from surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his left hand, but if he can continue to avoid any setbacks, he could be ready to come off the injured list to make his season debut at some point next week. The Venezuelan catcher hit a disappointing 11 home runs in 2024 and played in only 100 games due to injury after clubbing a career-high 25 round-trippers in 2023. With better health once he returns, Alvarez could bounce back in the power department at a position that lacks power.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (hand) is taking batting practice on the field in New York on Tuesday as the team gets ready to go up against the Marlins. It is the first time the backstop has taken batting practice on the field since he had surgery on his left hand to fix a broken hamate bone. There isn't a clear timeframe for when he'll make his season debut, but this is certainly a step in the right direction. The Venezuelan is considered a top fantasy catcher when healthy, but injuries also limited him to 100 games in 2024 as well. Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger are handling catching duties for now, and it is Senger who will get the start on Tuesday versus the Marlins' RHP Connor Gillispie.UPDATE: Alvarez will start a minor-league rehab assignment in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.