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A week before Opening Day usually means more playing time for the key starters. The New York Mets lineup on Thursday night mimicked closely what we could see on Opening Day with maybe the only difference being an appearance by Brett Baty over in right field with Mark Vientos getting DH duties and Jorge Polanco at first base.
One of the final tests for a variety of players, the big early news in the game was Francisco Alvarez leaving after only one at-bat. This wasn’t what the plan was.
Francisco Alvarez was removed from tonight's game in the top of the fourth inning. Jose Aular entered in his spot as a pinch hitter.
— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) March 19, 2026
On the Mets' lineup card this morning, Alvarez was scheduled to play all nine innings tonight.
Alvarez struck out swinging in his first AB. He…
Mets fans are waiting for an update on Francisco Alvarez
No immediate updates as to why he left prematurely, Alvarez is coming into a crucial year of make or break. He is either destined to fall in line where Baty is, trusted and on a high, or something closer to the doghouse Vientos is living in.
The lack of immediate update is generally concerning although no sure thing to suggest this is anything but a precaution. Nothing in the game against the Houston Astros specifically showed Alvarez getting hurt. We’ve watched enough Mets baseball to realize anything and everything is on the table from light soreness to a sneeze gone wrong in the dugout.
The Mets have equipped themselves well for life without Alvarez. Batting ninth in this lineup, they can survive without his offense. Luis Torrens has proven himself as one of the league’s best defensive players. At times clutch, the drop off at the plate isn’t even all that extreme.
Beyond him, the team has Ben Rortvedt currently on the roster alongside Hayden Senger. Both are good defenders who’ll be lucky to hit .200. The Mets also added Austin Barnes this offseason. A strong preseason and on a minor league deal off of the 40-man roster, he’d probably be the most ideal match to replace Alvarez in any sort of long-term injury situation. He has unmatched winning experience.
The Alvarez scare also serves as a reminder of how useful MJ Melendez could be at times this year. Already reassigned to the minors, his experience as a catcher turned outfielder will give the Mets a way to avoid IL stints for their catchers if any injury is of the shorter variety.
Mets fans will spend the rest of their Thursday night stirring while waiting for an update, hoping for the absolute best.