Francisco Alvarez, Jeff McNeil Expected Back Friday
Updated Post – April 23 at 11:05
Francisco Alvarez and Jeff McNeil are expected to be active for the Mets series opener against the Nationals on Friday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
Alvarez (0-for-3, BB) and McNeil (0-for-4) both played for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday night. McNeil has played seven rehab games, with six starts at second base and one in center field.
Original Post – April 21 at 18:08
Before beginning the biggest test of the season for the Mets Monday with a series against the second-place Phillies, David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations met with the media. Here are some key notes and takeaways regarding key players and more.
Frankie Montas
Stearns stated that RHP Frankie Montas is still throwing in a 75-90 foot area but is still on pace for the original return timeline, which is late May or early June. New York’s rotation has been fantastic to start this year, and adding Montas into the equation could make it even more lethal. Montas’ ERA last year wasn’t the best, but if you dig deeper, his xFIP could prove it was more bad luck, as he posted a 4.71 ERA but 4.26 xFIP. The Mets would likely finally be able to commit to a full six-man rotation, and even though the Mets have posted a league-best 2.35 ERA entering Monday, someone will have to go. The likeliest seem to be Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning (especially when Sean Manaea makes his return). As David Stearns noted many times in his presser, it’s a good problem for the Mets to have.
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Catcher
Before Stearns started answering questions, manager Carlos Mendoza stated the current plan is for Francisco Alvarez to report to Triple-A Syracuse and continue his rehab. With the return looming, there have been some questions on who will be the starting catcher because of Luis Torrens‘ excellent start to the season He’s been mashing to start the season, ranking in the 95th percentile in expected batting average (.329), 94th percentile in HardHit% and 92nd percentile in Barrel%.
Stearns weighed in on the situation, noting, “I think we have two catchers who we feel really good about. Mendy’s going to decide who plays every day and who gives us the best chance to win. We certainly think Alvy’s going to be a huge part of that.”
Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized
Center Field
With Jose Siri fracturing his tibia (Stearns noted he’ll be out around eight to ten weeks), the Mets have a spot open there to back up and possibly split time with Tyrone Taylor, according to Stearns.
Jeff McNeil (who will also be going to Syracuse with Francisco Alvarez this week), Brandon Nimmo and Luisangel Acuna could all be in the mix to get some time there. McNeil played six innings in center in a rehab game; Luisangel Acuña has taken reps during practice at center and has logged innings at the position dating back to his time in the Rangers’ organization.
Stearns also weighed in on the development of Mets middle infielder and possibly center fielder Luisangel Acuna who’s been red-hot this past week. Giving him praise in this quote: To his credit, he’s competed very well at the major league level, both last September and through the first couple weeks this year. He deserves a lot of credit for that, that’s not easy to do.” Acuna has posted a 161 wRC+ since April 13.
Stearns feels confident in the internal options and isn’t concerned with looking elsewhere to fill the role.
Dedniel Núñez
The Mets’ bullpen has been elite, contributing to their league-best ERA. The pitching staff is fourth in strikeouts (211), first in home runs allowed (nine), first in earned runs (51) and fifth in batting average against (.213). When asked about Dedniel Núñez‘s progress, Stearns noted his ramp-up was “complete” and joining the team is more of a “fit and when needed.” He commented he expects it to be soon, even though it’s hard to see a change to a bullpen that ranks third in baseball in ERA. Danny Young seems the likeliest candidate to be demoted (5.40 ERA), although there are other candidates with minor league options.
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