New York Mets option Francisco Álvarez to Triple-A

The Mets announced Sunday that they had optioned struggling catcher and former top prospect Francisco Álvarez to Triple-A.

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 | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Despite Francisco Álvarez homering in Saturday night’s victory, the New York Mets are making a change behind the plate.

On Sunday afternoon, the Mets announced they had optioned Álvarez to Triple-A Syracuse. In a corresponding move, fellow catcher Hayden Senger was recalled to take his spot on the active roster.

We have made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/BMWJQHdocy

— New York Mets (@Mets) June 22, 2025

Álvarez, 23, has struggled to a .236/.319/.333 slash line (.652 OPS) to start the 2025 campaign, recording three home runs, 11 RBIs, and a 27.5% strikeout rate in 35 games. He missed the first month of the season due to a fractured hamate bone and has been working through mechanical adjustments ever since.

Last week, Tim Britton of The Athletic reported that multiple Mets officials acknowledged there could come a time when it would be better for Álvarez to work through those swing changes in the minor leagues. The former No. 1 prospect hit 25 home runs as a 21-year-old rookie in 2023 but saw a noticeable dip in power production after suffering a broken thumb early last season.

Francisco Alvarez's 452-foot tater is the 7th solo home run of the night for the @Mets! pic.twitter.com/2VjfwR7F61

— MLB (@MLB) June 22, 2025

Senger, 28, is a defensive specialist who made his MLB debut on the Opening Day roster earlier this year. Offensively, he has gone 5-for-28 (.179) with one double in his first 13 big league games.

He will back up Luis Torrens, a 29-year-old veteran who has been productive during stints as the starter. Torrens is batting .232/.309/.344 (.653 OPS) in 45 games and ranks among the league’s best in caught stealing above average (5), fielding run value (4), framing runs (2), and pop time (1.88 seconds).

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In addition to his struggles at the plate, Álvarez has shown some defensive regression. He currently ranks in the eighth percentile in Statcast’s framing metric, after ranking in the 95th and 88th percentiles the previous two seasons. He has also struggled to block pitches in the dirt.

It is unclear how long Álvarez will remain in the minors, but while he works to improve on both sides of the ball, the Mets appear comfortable with their current tandem behind the plate. According to The Athletic’s Will Sammon, they are not expected to enter the catcher market at this time.