Mets thought demotion was best way to get Francisco Alvarez ‘reps’ to fix struggles

PHILADELPHIA — Francisco Alvarez needed the opportunity to work on his game and play every day, leading to the decision finalized by Mets brass Sunday.

The struggling 23-year-old catcher was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, with the hope he can find his form offensively and defensively before returning to potentially help the Mets in the near future.

“He’s got a chance to be a pretty special player and we’re going to need him,” manager Carlos Mendoza said before the Mets played their series finale against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. “We feel like it’s best for him to go down there and get reps.”

Mendoza cited Luis Torrens’ success behind the plate as a significant factor. Torrens had gradually increased playing time to the point he was starting almost half of the time, and the Mets felt Alvarez needed to play every day if he was going to improve. The team recalled Hayden Senger from Syracuse to serve as the backup catcher.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns deferred on answering questions about Alvarez until his scheduled Tuesday media session at Citi Field.

Alvarez produced a .236/.319/.333 slash line with three homers and 11 RBIs in 35 games after beginning the season on the injured list following surgery in spring training for a broken hamate bone in his left hand.

Alvarez was working on a new swing in spring training and Mendoza suspects the lost opportunity to face major league pitchers cost him.

Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) walks to the dugout against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth inning at Chase Field. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

“Unfortunately, he went down,” Mendoza said. “We’re not trying to make excuses for the kid, but that is something we talk about.”

Mendoza said Alvarez didn’t resist when presented with the decision.

“He listened a lot,” Mendoza said. “And then there was a follow-up where it’s like, ‘I want to make sure I am playing.’ ”

Alvarez’s best season with the Mets occurred in 2023 when he hit 25 homers as a rookie. But the last two seasons have been disappointments for him — he missed significant time last year following surgery to repair a torn left thumb ligament.

Behind the plate there have been lapses, most recently in Atlanta last week when Alvarez threw to the wrong base in the 10th inning, costing the Mets an opportunity to nail the baserunner who ultimately became the winning run.

“I feel like he’s got better with his exchanges and throwing guys out,” Mendoza said. “But the receiving and blocking are probably areas where we want to see improvement. Obviously, he’s got to play.”

The Mets know what they have in Senger, who opened the season on the major league roster with Alvarez rehabbing from surgery. But Mendoza said the organization’s comfort with Senger — who has received high grades defensively — didn’t factor into the decision to demote Alvarez.

“When we’re making this decision, it’s all about the player,” Mendoza said, referring to Alvarez. “It was more about what is best for Alvy, what is best for the team and organization when we are looking at the present and the future. But it’s nice to have a guy like Senger who has already shown he can handle that role.”

Francisco Alvarez reacts after flying out for the last out in the thirteenth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citi Field, Friday, May 23, 2025, Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Likewise, the fact Alvarez went 2-for-5 on Saturday, with a ninth-inning homer, didn’t carry any weight in team brass’ decision.

“There were stretches where we were like, ‘OK, that is what he is supposed to look like,’ but then he will go a couple of games where he is late with a fastball and then he chases,” Mendoza said. “We’re just looking for consistency here and if you are playing three or four games a week compared to having the opportunity to play six, that is how you are going to get better.”