Mets’ Francisco Alvarez belts home run in live batting practice session

Observations from Mets’ spring training on Saturday:

Good sign

Francisco Alvarez, whose early part of the 2025 season was marred by a fractured hamate bone, homered on a back field in a live batting practice session Saturday morning.

The catcher is trying to regain the form he showed in the second half of last year, when he had a .921 OPS following his return to the majors on July 21 after a rough first half.

Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez, pictured taking batting practice earlier in spring training, hit a BP homer on the back field on Feb. 21, 2026. AP

Two bad

The Mets had some familiar faces in the top half of the lineup, but the team managed just a pair of hits against Miami.

Their first hit didn’t come until Austin Barnes’ single in the bottom of the fifth.

Caught my eye

Ronny Mauricio, who got the start at shortstop, also stole second as he looks to carve out a role for himself on the roster with Francisco Lindor out with a fractured hamate bone.

Ronny Mauricio reaches first base on an error in the second inning of the Mets’ 2-1 spring training loss to the Marlins on Feb. 21, 2026. Corey Sipkin for New York Post

Sunday’s schedule

Who’s ready for the Subway Series?

Probably no one, but the Mets will travel to face the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

Justin Hagenman is expected to make the start.

— Dan Martin