New York Mets to get key slugger back from the IL

The Mets plan to activate Francisco Alvarez off the injured list on Friday.

Aug 15, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) follows through on a three run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Ahead of a crucial three-game series this weekend, the New York Mets are reportedly getting their starting catcher back.

Mike Puma of the New York Post first reported Thursday evening that the Mets plan on activating Francisco Alvarez from the injured list on Friday.

Francisco Alvarez will be activated from the IL tomorrow, according to a source. Returning from Syracuse.

— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) September 5, 2025

Alvarez last played in a game for New York on August 17 against the Seattle Mariners in Williamsport during the Little League Classic; the 23-year-old suffered a UCL sprain in his right thumb sliding headfirst into second base while legging out a hustle double. He was placed on the IL the next day.

Despite needing surgery on his thumb, Alvarez opted to wait until the offseason to have surgery and try to play through the pain. And after being seen taking batting practice at Citi Field a week after his injury, the slugger commenced a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse to try to make an unprecedentedly quick return to New York's lineup.

Read More: Mets provide much-needed postive update on Francisco Alvarez

Alvarez, however, would suffer a setback during his rehab when he exited his rehab game with Syracuse on August 27 after being hit by a pitch on his left pinky. He would later be diagnosed with a fractured left pinky. Despite these injuries, Alvarez continued his rehab in Triple-A and will now return to the Mets this weekend as they continue their playoff push.

It has been a frustrating and injury-riddled season for Alvarez in 2025, which saw him miss nearly the first month of the regular season after suffering a fractured hamate bone during spring training. After making his season debut on April 25 against the Washington Nationals, Alvarez struggled mightily at the plate and behind it, resulting in the Amazins' optioning the backstop to Triple-A on June 22.

He would end up raking in 19 games for Syracuse, batting .299 with 11 home runs, which led to the Mets recalling Alvarez on July 21. That success in the minor leagues would continue in the big leagues, as Alvarez has slashed .293/.388/.603 in 21 games since returning. He was especially hot at the plate in the seven games he played before going down with the thumb injury, going 9-for-21 (.429) with three home runs and nine RBI.

HE'S BACK.

FRANCISCO ALVAREZ TIES THE GAME WITH A TWO-RUN HOMER! pic.twitter.com/PXJpcljahW

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 23, 2025

Alvarez will now rejoin a Mets lineup that has been one of the league's best since the middle of August. In 56 games this season, he is batting .265/.349/.438 with seven long balls, 24 RBI and a .787 OPS.