For the second time in three days, Francisco Alvarez was on the bench, but it was not to rest.
The young receiver is dealing with a lingering left shoulder issue that he’s been feeling for the past few days, according to manager Carlos Mendoza.
Alvarez was still available, but Mendoza opted to give him the night off as the Mets opened a three-game series against the Twins at Citi Field.
Alvarez felt shoulder soreness Sunday when he had to catch a pitch from starter David Peterson.
“I just want to monitor his workload here,” Mendoza said. “If I need him during the game, he’ll be available. But if we stay away from him, it would benefit him because he won’t be able to swing the bat or do any physical activity.”
Alvarez struggled offensively in July, hitting .212/.278/.333 with a .611 OPS.
He went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts in Sunday’s loss to the Braves.
Right-handed reliever Sean Reid-Foley will make his second rehab appearance Wednesday.
Mendoza wasn’t sure Reid-Foley would stay with Single-A Brooklyn.
He could instead play for Binghamton’s Double-A team.
Reid-Foley struggled Sunday, allowing two hits and two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.
He last pitched for the Mets on June 19.
He is out due to a right shoulder impingement.
Fellow right-handed reliever Reed Garrett (right elbow inflammation) will face hitters Wednesday and could begin a rehab assignment shortly afterward.
Dedniel Nunez (right pronator strain), placed on injured reserve Friday, has yet to return to throwing, but Mendoza said he is improving and could start playing catch this week.
Center fielder Harrison Bader returned to the lineup for the first time since injuring his right ankle last Tuesday against the Yankees.
Jesse Winker made his first start as a Met in right field and batting fifth, between right-handed hitters Pete Alonso and Mark Vientos.
The Mets lead the league in wins in July, going 15-9 this month.
The Twins last visited Citi Field on April 9-10, 2019.
New York Post
