Mets Activate Catcher Francisco Alvarez After Four-Week Recovery, While Pitcher Kodai Senga’s Rehab Paused

On June 9, 2026 the New York Mets activated 24-year-old catcher Francisco Alvarez from the 10-day IL before a home series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Alvarez, who tore his right-knee meniscus on May 12, started behind the plate and went 1-for-3 in a 7-0 loss.

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Alvarez had meniscus surgery on May 14 and was expected to miss six-to-eight weeks. He completed a four-game rehab with Triple-A Syracuse, hitting 3-for-13 with two doubles and catching six to nine innings, enabling activation exactly four weeks later.

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Before the IL, Alvarez posted a .241/.317/.393 line with four HR, ten RBI and a .710 OPS (104 wRC+) in 37 games. Backup catcher Luis Torrens had a .218 OPS; optioned catcher Hayden Senger posted a .133 OPS. The Mets rank 25th in runs and 29th in OPS league-wide.

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Alvarez’s return led to Senger’s option to Triple-A Syracuse and moved Torrens back to backup. The Mets sit 29-36, last in the NL East, five games behind the third wild-card. FanGraphs now projects a 21.5 % postseason chance, up from 13.6 % in late May.

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Manager Carlos Mendoza called Alvarez “unbelievable” and praised the training staff. Alvarez said through an interpreter that he wanted to return quickly to help the team. Mendoza said Senga’s rehab status is day-to-day, and Senga noted that the front office shares his desire for results.

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Senga’s rehab stopped after a “small reaction” in his ulnar nerve, raising concerns about a possible elbow injury that could limit future starts. The Mets have a conditional club option that activates if he undergoes Tommy John or other elbow surgery.

Alvarez Activated from IL, Senga Shut Down with New Injury

Some outlets list Alvarez’s post-injury line as .256/.339/.447 with 11 HR and 32 RBI, while others report .241/.317/.393 with four HR and ten RBI. No source gives detailed medical info on Senga’s nerve irritation, leaving severity unclear.

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• “I always want to get back as quickly as possible to help the team,” — Francisco Alvarez, catcher

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• “He's unbelievable,” — Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager

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• “He's kind of day to day,” — Carlos Mendoza, Mets manager

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• “I think the front office would agree that they would like to see some results and so would I,” — Kodai Senga, pitcher

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The Mets open a six-game homestand with the Cardinals on Tuesday, while Senga is expected to resume minor-league pitching later in the week. Returns from shortstop Francisco Lindor and first baseman Jorge Polanco could further strengthen a lineup that has shown recent improvement but still faces the league’s toughest remaining schedule.

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