Mets Notes: Francisco Alvarez's struggles, Daniel Duarte's impressive season
· Yahoo Sports
Prior to Wednesday night's rubber match game against the Orioles, Mets interim manager Andy Green provided a few injury updates and discussed Francisco Alvarez's recent struggles...
Confidence in Alvy
Alvarez is scuffling.
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The Mets backstop is riding the bench Wednesday in favor of Luis Torrens. Without an off day this week, Green thought it best to sit Alvarez for the series finale with Baltimore, and although the catcher is 1-for-9 in this series and batting .148 (4-27) over his last seven games, the Mets still believe in him.
"He has so much talent. We are going to continue to believe in him. For the rest of this season, he will continue to have at-bats, opportunity to play," Green said of Alvarez. "We have faith and confidence the performance will reflect what it has for the majority of his career: someone who has a ton of pop, has had a ton of big swings.
"Just like A.J. Ewing did, went through a tough stretch, we expect him to rebound from that tough stretch. We have confidence in Alvy and will continue to cheer him on, have great at-bats and finish the season strong. He’s put in real work with the hitting coaches and no one wants it more than he does."
Alvarez's struggles go beyond the last week. Over his last 15 games, Alvarez is batting .176 (9-for-51) with two home runs and 22 strikeouts. The 24-year-old is slashing .228/.310/.392 with an OPS of .702 to go along with 15 home runs and 37 RBI across 106 games.
His 121 strikeouts are a career high, and if the season ended today, his SLG and OPS would be career lows.
Duarte's season over
The Mets placed Daniel Duarte on the 15-day IL with a left hamstring strain Wednesday. The right-hander suffered the injury trying to cover homeplate in extra innings in Tuesday night's loss.
With the 15-day designation and not many games left, Duarte's season is officially over but Green praised the reliever's season.
"He’s had such a good season. He’s done so many good things," Green said. "It’s a tough loss; we don’t think it’s anything serious long term and he’ll ultimately be back. It’s a tough way for your season to come to a close. Just really impressed with the way he competed this year and a tough way to end the season."
Duarte made 24 appearances for the Mets this season, pitching to a 2.12 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP, and converting two saves in three opportunities.
New York Mets pitcher Robert Stock (89) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. / Pablo Robles-Imagn Images
Stock down
The other injury designation on Wednesday was Robert Stock landing on the IL with finger numbness, which Green says is a residual from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and has been feeling it for a little while. The team was optimistic Stock could make this last start, but after last night's extra-inning loss and the strain on the bullpen, the Mets felt it best to IL him now.
"Maybe the most unique individual I’ve been around in baseball," Green said of Stock. "He’s hungry to learn, hungry to grow, challenge norms and he has good stuff....Enjoy him very much."
The 36-year-old has had his ups and downs, but he helped stabilize the rotation following some trade deadline departures.
In eight appearances (seven starts), he's pitched to a 5.93 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP.
With Stock out of the rotation, Green says the rotation will stay intact with the off day coming Monday before the Rangers series. The Mets will roll out the young four (Nolan McLean, Zac Thornton, Christian Scott and Jonah Tong) in the Phillies series and that will be the rotation, with Sean Manaea in the mix as well to wrap up the 2026 season.