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Jun 17, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) walks against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Report: Mets have discussed sending Francisco Álvarez to minors

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI
By John Sparaco | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 1:11 PM ET

As starting catcher Francisco Álvarez works through swing adjustments, the New York Mets are exploring ways to position their former No. 1 prospect for both short- and long-term success.

According to a story published by The Athletic's Tim Britton on Wednesday night, the Mets have discussed the idea of giving the struggling Álvarez a bit of a reset by sending him down to Triple-A Syracuse.

“In recent weeks, multiple Mets officials acknowledged there could come a time when it would be better for the catcher to work through those swing changes in the minor leagues,” Britton reported.

He added that the decision is delicate, as sending Álvarez down for the first time since spring 2023 could damage his confidence. Right now, he says, the Mets believe Álvarez is still helping the major-league team win and are encouraged by his progress in working through his offensive issues.

Francisco Alvarez unleashes a 450-foot BOMB for the @Mets 6th home run of the day pic.twitter.com/t17ioK82q8
— MLB (@MLB) June 8, 2025

Álvarez, 23, has posted a career-low .636 OPS since being activated from a fractured hamate bone in late April and is slashing .191/.286/.265 over his last 20 games. He has shown little power, with just five extra-base hits in 130 plate appearances this season. For context, he hit 25 home runs as a 21-year-old rookie in 2023.

On Tuesday night, Álvarez went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout and made a couple of plays on defense that hurt the Mets in their extra-innings loss to the Atlanta Braves. He was held out of the starting lineup on Wednesday as the team was held scoreless in its fifth consecutive defeat.

"It feels bad. Especially being the catcher on the team after feeling like we had control the majority of the game. As a catcher, you feel some responsibility for it"

- Francisco Alvarez on tonight's loss to the Braves pic.twitter.com/Y7I2vzRioh
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 18, 2025

This is the second year in a row Álvarez has struggled after an early-season hand injury. In 2024, he suffered a thumb injury in early April that required surgery and kept him out of the lineup until June 11.

He finished the regular season strong, posting a 1.000 OPS with five home runs over his last 48 plate appearances. However, his overall numbers were underwhelming: a .710 OPS with 11 home runs in 100 games.

If the Mets do decide to follow through with a reset, veteran Luis Torrens would be in line to pick up everyday at-bats, while Hayden Senger would presumably return from Triple-A to be the backup. Torrens is currently in a 3-for-30 slump of his own but excelled in a starting role earlier this season, delivering multiple key hits during Álvarez’s absence.