Francisco Alvarez returning to Mets after destroying Triple-A pitching

Jun 19, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) walks to the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the seventh inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The New York Mets have recalled catcher Francisco Alvarez from Triple-A Syracuse after he put on a personal home run derby for a month in the minor leagues. 

The 23-year-old hit 11 home runs in 19 games and a 1.129 OPS after he was demoted on June 22, including another shot on Sunday, which was his seventh round-tripper in the last six games. 

Back in the majors, Alvarez should reassume his challenge to regain the starting catcher’s role from Luis Torrens, whose bat has been coming around as of late. He entered Monday’s action batting .368 with two RBI in his last six games.

But Alvarez is still the Mets’ franchise catcher of the future until further notice, and his dominant display in the minors was clear that he needs to get consistent MLB at-bats to cement his standing within the organization. 

This had been a difficult 2025 for the young backstop, who started the season on the injured list after breaking the hamate bone in his hand. He did not make his season debut until late April, and the production simply never came. 

In 35 games, he was batting .236 with a .652 OPS, three home runs, and 11 RBI with a revamped approach at the plate which clearly needed more time to marinate. The Mets will hope that the time in Triple-A did just that, considering the offense has dried up as of late, with three or fewer runs scored in six of their last eight games. 

An Alvarez who can resemble his 2023 self, in which he slammed 25 home runs, would provide an immeasurable boost to the bottom of New York’s lineup, which has been a black hole for most of a concerning 31-game stretch in which it has gone 11-20. 

For more on Francisco Alvarez and the Mets, visit AMNY.com