BlogVibe

Explore More

Mets fans clamoring for a look at the future will get their wish Sunday. 

Francisco Alvarez, who was called up from Triple-A on Friday, is expected to be the starting catcher in the series finale against the Marlins.

Mets manager Buck Showalter revealed that on Saturday, before Tomas Nido made his second straight start behind the plate.

Alvarez made his MLB debut last September during the thick of a division title race and hit 2-for-14 over five games, while catching 13 innings. 

Regarded as the Mets’ top prospect by Baseball America entering each of the last three seasons, Alvarez didn’t make the cut out of spring training after he hit .107 in 28 at-bats.

He didn’t have to idle long at Triple-A, getting the call after starting catcher Omar Narvaez suffered a medium-to-high-grade strain of his left calf that typically requires a recovery of at least eight weeks. 

Carlos Carrasco is scheduled to pitch to Alvarez on Sunday.

Want to catch a game? The Mets schedule with links to buy tickets can be found here.

Narvaez’s injury takes away the luxury of matching up Alvarez with pitchers he might be more comfortable with after spring training. 

“At some point, they have to be comfortable with you and you have to get comfortable with them, and there’s only one way to do that,” Showalter said. “All the guys have no problem throwing to him. In fact, they embrace it.” 

There is no question Alvarez’s bat can help the weak bottom half of the Mets’ lineup, but Showalter is hesitant to put both catchers in the lineup by using Alvarez as the DH.

Alvarez’s challenge will be handling an MLB pitching staff. 

“You can tell he’s very much into [that] part of the game,” Showalter said. “He knows that’s something he has to be good at. He chased it from the first day of spring, making pitchers confident with him. If they see you are preparing for their outing, it means a lot to them. It’s more than just hitting.” 

Mark Canha made his 59th career start at first base, and his first since Sept. 23, 2020.

The everyday left fielder played one inning at first last season, per Baseball Reference, but resharpened his skills with infield coach Joey Cora during spring training. 

“This is not something new and experimental,” Showalter said. “[Canha] is a very athletic guy — same reason why we felt comfortable playing him at third base some last year. He doesn’t look at a place he doesn’t play every day as a reason not to be good at it. Mark wants it.” 

Canha’s versatility allowed the Mets to cut backup first baseman Darin Ruf at the end of camp.

Canha almost was pulled in the ninth inning because of calf soreness, Showalter said. 

Pete Alonso, with a half-day off as designated hitter, hit his fourth homer in his last three games and reached five home runs in the shortest amount of time, nine games, in his prolific young career.

He got to five in 10 games as a 53-homer rookie sensation, then needed 23, 18 and 16 games over the next three seasons, respectively. 

“We don’t talk about it,” Showalter said, guarding against jinxing his red-hot slugger. 

Alonso has 25 home runs in 70 career games against the Marlins.

Only David Wright has more (26 in 183 career games) for the Mets in the rivalry’s history. 

“It’s good to be able to give Pete a day [out of the field],” Showalter said. “He’ll never admit it, but he’s going to need it here and there.”

ncG1vNJzZmimqaW8tMCNnKamZ2Jlf3R7j21maXBforK1v4ypo5qmXam8br%2FTmqmtZZanrq%2BvyKyaqGWRocOivsSzZJqsXZiuta%2FHnqlmp55iwLa6w5qwaA%3D%3D