Francisco Alvarez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (hand) is taking batting practice on the field in New York on Tuesday as the team gets ready to go up against the Marlins. It is the first time the backstop has taken batting practice on the field since he had surgery on his left hand to fix a broken hamate bone. There isn't a clear timeframe for when he'll make his season debut, but this is certainly a step in the right direction. The Venezuelan is considered a top fantasy catcher when healthy, but injuries also limited him to 100 games in 2024 as well. Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger are handling catching duties for now, and it is Senger who will get the start on Tuesday versus the Marlins' RHP Connor Gillispie.UPDATE: Alvarez will start a minor-league rehab assignment in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (hand) was scheduled to catch right-hander Kodai Senga's bullpen session on Friday and take batting practice in the cages, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Alvarez is recovering after needing surgery to fix a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, but it's unclear when he might be able to return to make his 2025 season debut. Until the 23-year-old is able to return, Luis Torrens will continue to serve as the Mets' starting catcher, with Hayden Senger serving as the backup. When healthy, Alvarez is the Mets' primary backstop, and the Venezuelan catcher showed plenty of promise by hitting 25 home runs and driving in 63 back in 2023. A torn UCL in his left hand set him back a year ago, though, and he was able to hit only 11 homers in 100 games played. He's a top-12 fantasy catcher when healthy.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (hand) had the stitches removed from his surgically-repaired left hand on Monday, and he will begin working on strength and ramping up baseball activities, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. When Alvarez initially suffered his hand injury, he was given a timetable of six to eight weeks. It means that barring any setbacks once he begins swinging the bat full speed, the 23-year-old backstop has a chance to come off the injured list to make his 2025 debut before the end of April. Until that comes to pass, Luis Torrens will serve as the Mets' starting catcher, with Hayden Senger winning the backup job out of spring training. Alvarez's hand injury limited him to 100 regular-season games in 2024, but he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues after he hit 25 home runs in his first full big-league season in 2023.