Mets reinstate Alvarez, McNeil from IL

The red-hot New York Mets are getting some reinforcements in the form of catcher Francisco Alvarez and utility man Jeff McNeil.

McNeil, who has been sidelined since the middle of March with an oblique strain, was reinstated Thursday. Brett Baty was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move.

Alvarez, meanwhile, was reinstated Friday. He's been out since the early parts of spring training with a fractured bone in his wrist. Hayden Senger was sent to Triple-A to make room for Alvarez on the active roster.

The return of both players should help lengthen a lineup that hasn't yet been firing on all cylinders. The Mets are succeeding this season largely due to the strength of their pitching.

New York entered Friday owning MLB's best record at 18-7 despite having scored just 105 total runs. Its hitters have combined for a 101 wRC+, which ranks 15th in the league.

McNeil hit .238/.308/.692 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs in 2024. He rediscovered his All-Star form in the second half of the season, posting a 137 wRC+ from Aug. 1 onward before breaking his wrist in early September.

Alvarez hit 11 home runs with a .710 OPS (101 OPS+) in 100 games.

The Mets will look to extend their seven-game win streak Friday night in Washington against the Nationals.