NEW YORK -- The Mets have spent the first four weeks of the season building one of Major League Baseball¡¯s best records despite missing two key members of their regular lineup.
That¡¯s about to change, with Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez set to return from the injured list Friday in D.C. McNeil, who¡¯s rehabbing from a right oblique strain, and Alvarez, who¡¯s recovering from left hamate bone surgery, are each scheduled to appear in one final rehab game Wednesday for Triple-A Syracuse.
So long as they come out of that without issue, both players will be active Friday when the Mets open a four-game series against the Nationals.
McNeil, 33, should slot back as the Mets¡¯ regular second baseman, despite the fact that he¡¯s been receiving center-field reps on his rehab assignment. He hit .238 with 12 home runs last season but is just two years removed from an All-Star campaign that saw him hit .326 to win the National League batting title.
McNeil¡¯s presence will marginalize Brett Baty and Luisangel Acu?a, two youngsters who have been splitting second-base reps in his absence. The Mets could option one of those players to the Minors, with Baty at particular risk given Acu?a¡¯s superior defense, versatility and baserunning acumen. But team officials may also choose to keep both players on the active roster and designate outfielder Jos¨¦ Az¨®car for assignment instead. They don¡¯t need to make that decision until Friday.
Alvarez, 23, will slide back into his role as starting catcher, despite Luis Torrens¡¯ success behind the plate. Much like McNeil, Alvarez is coming off a down season. But he showed plenty of promise in 2023, hitting 25 home runs as a 21-year-old catcher.
The move to clear space for Alvarez appears obvious, with rookie Hayden Senger set to return to the Minors. The Mets can option Senger without penalty.
Both McNeil and Alvarez suffered their injuries in Spring Training and missed the first 25 games of the regular season.