Updated Article, 4/8/25

Good news on the industry front! Francisco Alvarez will start a rehab assignment on Wednesday—well ahead of schedule—and Jeff McNeil will do so later in the week, Carlos Mendoza announced. It’s early in the season, but the Mets are getting reinforcements.

Original Article, 4/4/2025

Jeff McNeil, Francisco Alvarez and Paul Blackburn are all progressing in their rehab. The three Mets started the season on the injured list, but the team is hoping that they can make their season debuts sooner rather than later.

Photo by Ed Delany of Metsmerized

Carlos Mendoza addressed the media ahead of the Mets’ home opener on Friday and provided updates on the aforementioned players.

McNeil is now taking swings off the pitching machine in the cages, three weeks after sustaining a low-grade oblique strain. McNeil was also taking grounders at second base ahead of Friday’s matinee.

Alvarez, who fractured the hamate bone in his catching hand, is scheduled to catch today’s bullpen for Kodai Senga. He’s also set to take batting practice.

Blackburn, who suffered right knee inflammation after his final spring training appearance, is set to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. His return might be the most important for the team, particularly after the setback to Sean Manaea. The Mets are currently playing with a five-man rotation, in part due to the increased number of off days during the first month of the season. However, after Thursday, April 10, the team will play on 13 consecutive days and is likely to use a sixth starting pitcher during those two weeks.