The Mets season is receiving a much-needed shot of energy. After missing two months with a thumb injury, Francisco Alvarez is back in the lineup Tuesday night against the Marlins.
The 22-year-old is behind the plate and penciled into the No. 8 spot in the lineup for Carlos Mendoza’s squad.
“I feel very excited. Everything feels good and I’m happy to be back. I feel great and I have no excuses,” Alvarez told reporters on Tuesday. “I [came] here to the field and was working on my thumb every day. I [got] treatment every day and was consistent with that. …
“I feel like I [came] here to help my team and do the same thing as all the time. Try to win, work hard and let’s see what can happen.”
The Venezuelan will take his first at-bat since April 19 where an awkward slide against the Los Angeles Dodgers resulted in the catcher receiving surgery on a torn UCL in his left thumb.
The right-handed hitter was off to a slow start prior to his injury as his current slash line entering Tuesday reads .236/.288/.364 with one homer and 8 RBI in 16 games.
Alvarez and the Mets have a lot of work as their season is close to slipping away. The Mets sit in fourth place in the NL East with a 28-36 record and 3.5 games out of the final wild-card spot.
TRUMPETS EYEING THURSDAY
Mendoza’s squad in anticipating the return of Edwin Diaz on Thursday, the manager said on Tuesday.
“He threw a bullpen [Tuesday], looked pretty good, I was there,” said Mendoza. “Off [Wednesday] and then the plan is to activate him on Thursday when he’s eligible.”
Diaz was experiencing some of the worst struggles of his career in his return season from a torn patellar tendon. The right-hander currently owns a 5.40 ERA and was demoted from the closer role as he attempted to find his footing.
It remains to be seen which role Diaz will occupy upon his return on Thursday.
NIDO GONE
To make room for Alvarez the Mets have designated Tomas Nido for assignment, the club announced on Tuesday. The backstop slashed .229/.261/.361 with 3 homers and eight RBI in 32 games for the Mets this season.
The 30-year-old was added back to the roster when Alvarez went down, however, he will not be sticking around as Luis Torrens will seemingly be the backup catcher for the time being.
The veteran has spent his entire eight-year career with the Amazins and will potentially have a new uniform if he’s claimed by another club
