The New York Mets activated catcher Francisco Alvarez from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday ahead of their series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. Alvarez returned in just over four weeks after tearing the meniscus in his right knee on May 12.
Alvarez, who had been given a six-to-eight-week recovery timeline, started his Minor League rehab assignment on June 2 and caught a full game on June 7. He will bat ninth and assume the starting catcher role, while Hayden Senger was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised the 24-year-old's progress. “It’s hard to describe, it’s unbelievable,” Mendoza said. “Two days after he had the surgery, I walked in the training room, and he was holding a bat.” Alvarez reported no pain and credited the trainers for expediting his return. Alvarez hit .241 with a .710 OPS and four home runs in 37 games before the injury. The Mets, at 29-36, have won seven of their past 10 games and sit five games out of a wild-card spot.