Mets activate Jeff McNeil, Francisco Alvarez from IL, option Brett Baty to minors

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The New York Mets boast the best record in MLB. Now they are getting healthier.

Fresh off a 7-0 homestand and ahead of a four-game series against the Washington Nationals that starts Friday, the Mets (18-7) activated second baseman/outfielder Jeff McNeil and catcher Francisco Alvarez from the injured list. The timing of the moves was largely expected.

Both players were sidelined during spring training. Alvarez fractured the hamate bone in his left hand during batting practice on March 8 and had surgery two days later. McNeil strained his right oblique during a game on March 10.

To make room for McNeil on the active roster, the Mets sent infielder Brett Baty to Triple-A Syracuse. This was also the expected move. Infielder Luisangel Acuña and outfielder José Azócar were the only other candidates for a demotion. But Acuña outplayed Baty and Azócar cannot be optioned to the minor leagues. Baty posted just a .597 OPS in 58 plate appearances. But he performed better lately and showed he can play adequate defense at second base. There just weren’t going to be enough at-bats for Baty, a left-handed batter, given the Mets’ roster construction.

Acuña, a right-handed batter, figures to still see time at second base along with McNeil, who bats from the left side. They both can be part of the center field mix, too. During McNeil’s rehab assignment, the veteran played some games in center field. He has only logged three major-league appearances there. But against some right-handed pitchers, it would not at all be surprising if McNeil played center field with Acuña at second base. After center fielder Jose Siri went down with a leg injury, right-handed batter Tyrone Taylor picked up most of the playing time at the position. Taylor, too, will continue to see action there.

Thus, McNeil’s return presents an interesting daily decision for Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.

While Acuña has played center field in the minor leagues, club officials especially like the way he has looked at second base. Plus, Acuña has a .733 OPS with six stolen bases.

McNeil had a down season in 2024, but salvaged it with a big second half. He had a .923 OPS during the second half (149 plate appearances) before a different injury cut his season short.

Conceptually, the arrivals of McNeil and Alvarez deepen the Mets’ lineup. Their lineup profiled as the club’s strength. Early on, it has not played out that way, with the Mets’ pitching staff leading the majors in ERA (2.34) and the offense ranking in the middle of the pack in most categories.

To make room for Alvarez, the Mets optioned Hayden Senger to Triple A. Senger, 28, had never before played in the major leagues. Nonetheless, he proved a capable backup because of his stellar defense. Without Alvarez, the Mets leaned heavily on Luis Torrens, who played superb defense and supplied key hits (.675 OPS). Alvarez projects as the starting catcher, but Torrens should still see some starts.

(Photo of McNeil in spring training: Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

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