Morning Briefing: Francisco Alvarez to Begin Rehab Assignment

Good morning, Mets fans!

Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo reports that C Francisco Alvarez (thumb) is to begin a minor league rehab assignment later this week on Wednesday or Thursday. If all goes well, he has a chance to return in September.

The Mets will be keeping an eye on Alvarez to see if he can stand the pain and still be productive with the glove and the bat.

Before leaving with his latest thumb injury, Alvarez was hot at the plate with 11 extra-base hits including four home runs, six doubles and one triple. The Mets would certainly welcome his bat back to the lineup for the stretch run heading towards October.

OF Jose Siri and P Tylor Megill have also advanced in their rehab assignments.

Abbey Mastracco of the NY Daily News reports that Mets CF Jose Siri is going down to Port St. Lucie today to being his rehab assignment. Siri has been on the IL since April.

Mike Puma of the NY Post states that P Tylor Megill will pitch again on Thursday for Syracuse with hopes to be extended to 80 pitches.

NL Standings Update

The Mets scored 13 unanswered runs in a 13-3 win in their series opener against the Phillies. They moved to within six games of first place.

They’ll play the second game of the three-game series Tuesday evening at 7:10 p.m. ET. Sean Manaea (1-2, 5.15 ERA) looks to get back on track against Jesús Luzardo (12-6, 4.10 ERA).

The Reds have taken their talents to the west coast with a three-game set versus the Dodgers. The Dodgers took the first game on Monday, 7-0. With the Reds’ loss, the Mets picked up a game in the Wild Card standings and now lead Cincinnati by 2.5 games for the third spot.

Latest Mets News

The Mets announced a few minor league transactions. OF John Bay and RHP Irving Cota were promoted from Single-A St. Lucie to High-A Brooklyn, while RHP Will Watson moved from High-A to Double-A Binghamton.

Latest MLB News

MLB Pipeline announced its Team of the Week. It includes Mets No. 6 prospect Jacob Reimer, who went 8-for-17 with two home runs in five games for Double-A Binghamton.

Marlins No. 2 prospect Karson Milbrandt has pitched his second straight scoreless start, only allowing one hit and striking out 10 batters over five innings.

Your AL and NL players of the week have been announced. For the AL, Kansas City Royals 1B/DH Vinnie Pasquantino went 11-for-29 with six home runs and 12 RBIs. For the NL, P Ranger Suárez of the Philles gets the honor after going 2-0 with 13 2/3 IP and 21 strikeouts, posting a nice 1.32 ERA for the week.

Latest on MMO

Check out John Wilson of MMO’s deep dive for the Mets players of the week. For their outstanding play, Mark Vientos and David Peterson are your Mets players of the week.

Read from Rafael González of MMO on why Brett Baty is making it hard for the Mets to keep him out of the lineup with his recent play.

On This Date in Mets History 

1965:  The New York Mets achieved a significant victory against the legendary Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers, securing a 5-2 win.

1979: Legendary Mets pitcher Tom Seaver pitched a shutout against his former team, the Mets, for the Cincinnati Reds. This win marked his 11th consecutive victory.

Born on This Date: Alex Treviño (1957), Ricky Bottalico (1969), Trevor Gott (1992).

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