SEATTLE -- Last week at Citi Field, Francisco Alvarez was in the Mets’ dugout when a reporter remarked on the freakishly fast pace of his recovery from a torn right meniscus.
“I’m a normal human,” Alvarez responded, “with a different mindset.”
Whether Alvarez is built stronger than most or just wired differently, there’s no denying that something about him is not quite normal. Not only did the Mets' catcher begin a Minor League rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Syracuse, just two and a half weeks removed from surgery, but Alvarez roped 94.6 and 93.9 mph doubles in his first two plate appearances.
"Two bullets,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said before Tuesday night's game against the Mariners.
After catching six innings in his rehab debut and finishing 2-for-3 at the plate, Alvarez will take Wednesday off before returning to the field on Thursday. Mets officials will likely ask him to catch at least seven innings on consecutive nights before they’ll consider activating him, meaning his return is not imminent. But at this rate, it seems plausible that Alvarez could be back as soon as next week, potentially beating his initial six-to-eight-week projection by a full month.
"I mean, it’s crazy that this guy is already playing in games and looking the way he’s looking right now,” Mendoza said.
Before tearing his meniscus on a swing, Alvarez was the Mets’ unquestioned starting catcher despite a .241/.317/.393 slash line with four home runs in 37 games. Luis Torrens has taken over starting duties in Alvarez’s absence, with Hayden Senger playing once or twice per week as his backup.
One other rehabbing Met, Jorge Polanco, is ahead of Alvarez in his rehab. Polanco will play for Syracuse on Wednesday, after which Mets officials will discuss activating him in time for Friday’s series opener in San Diego. Polanco, whom the Mets signed to play first base, will spend most of his time at DH upon his return.