New York Mets star catcher Francisco Alvarez called and backstopped a combined no-hitter for the Single-A Brooklyn Cyclones on Tuesday night as he continues his rehab from a torn ligament in his left thumb.
The 22-year-old has been sidelined since April and was partaking in his fourth rehab game — his first with the Cyclones after three with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies. He caught every inning of Brooklyn’s first-ever nine-inning no-hitter, which was pulled off by pitchers Dakota Hawkins, Joey Lancellotti, and Joshua Cornielly.
A full outing and a strong showing behind the plate further suggest that Alvarez’s return is on the very near horizon. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said on Monday that the catcher will not be making the trip with the big-league club to London when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies, but he could be back for the start of the Mets’ six-game homestand that begins on June 11 against the Miami Marlins.
In 16 games this season, Alvarez was batting .236 with a .652 OPS, one home run, and eight RBI.
Tomas Nido is projected to be his backup — the veteran backstop was brought back to the Mets after Alvarez went down with the injury. The team also designated Omar Narvaez for assignment and acquired Luis Torrens from the Yankees during his absence.
