Francisco Alvarez, Jeff McNeil return to finally make Mets’ lineup whole

WASHINGTON — It took almost a period into nan season, but head Carlos Mendoza yet sewage to capable retired a batting bid Friday that included everybody from nan projected Opening Day lineup.

The return of Francisco Alvarez and Jeff McNeil from nan injured database gave nan Mets a caller look arsenic they opened a four-game bid against nan Nationals, albeit unsuccessfully pinch a 5-4 loss.

“Coming into this year, [Alvarez and McNeil] were going to beryllium a large portion of this squad and this lineup,” Mendoza said astatine Nationals Park. “Here they are, patient and fresh to go.”

Alvarez, who went 1-for-4 pinch a strikeout Friday, was rehabbing from room to region a surgery hamate bony successful his near hand. He will return to superior catching duties, but Mendoza expects to find opportunities for Luis Torrens, who shined arsenic nan starter successful Alvarez’s absence.

Jeff McNeil fields a crushed shot during a Mets’ outpouring training game. AP

McNeil, who besides went 1-for-4, will play 2nd guidelines and outfield (possibly pinch immoderate of that action successful center), displacing rookie Luisangel Acuña from regular playing time. Acuña has been a agleam spot for nan Mets offensively, defensively and connected nan bases.

Mendoza was asked if he was concerned astir disrupting nan chemistry — nan Mets are a awesome league-best 18-8 — by inserting 2 caller names into nan lineup.

“They are a large portion of this team, moreover erstwhile they weren’t playing they were around,” Mendoza said. “And past twelvemonth they were a large portion of this team. That’s what it’s going to return — it’s going to return much than 26 guys and present we are getting 2 of nan bigger pieces [back]. That’s a bully group successful that clubhouse and they will fresh correct in.”

McNeil, who strained an oblique successful outpouring training, was group to play his first regular play crippled since Sept. 6 of past season.

Francisco Alvarez takes batting believe earlier a outpouring training crippled against nan Astros connected Feb. 25, 2025. Corey Sipkin for nan NY POST

He missed astir of nan last period past twelvemonth rehabbing from a surgery wrist aft he was deed by a pitch. McNeil returned for nan NLCS against nan Dodgers.

“It feels for illustration Opening Day for me,” McNeil said. “We’re playing well, and I americium conscionable going to do what I tin to thief these guys win.”

That perchance includes playing halfway section — a position astatine which he was utilized during his insignificant convention rehab assignment. Tyrone Taylor has been playing halfway each time for nan Mets pinch Jose Siri sidelined by a surgery near tibia, but Mendoza is looking to get others involved.

“I enjoyed it,” McNeil said, erstwhile asked astir playing halfway connected his rehab assignment. “I return a batch of pridefulness successful playing a batch of positions and being very versatile. Wherever nan squad needs me.”

Alvarez was moving connected a caller plaything successful outpouring training, but nan Mets received only a mini sample size of it successful accumulation games earlier his injury.

“When I was doing my rehab I was moving a batch connected my plaything to effort to consciousness right,” Alvarez said done an interpreter. “When I wasn’t swinging I was moving a batch connected my mentality, connected what I wanted to do. And correct now I consciousness really good.”

Mendoza said his extremity is to besides support Torrens arsenic progressive arsenic possible.

“They are some going to play,” Mendoza said. “[Torrens] played existent good for america and he earned that opportunity. We are getting Alvy backmost and he’s going to get an opportunity arsenic well. I deliberation that’s a bully problem to have, but I could spot some of them playing.”

Mendoza besides anticipates uncovering spots for Acuña to play.

“We’ll find ways to support Acuña crisp and get him immoderate at-bats,” Mendoza said.