Francisco Alvarez faced scrutiny after a tough loss to the Atlanta Braves, leading to his absence from the lineup against them in favor of Luis Torrens. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza emphasized the strength of their catching duo, noting both players are eager to contribute. Despite Alvarez's promising rookie season, his performance has dipped this year, prompting discussions about his development at just 23 years old. Mendoza believes Alvarez must learn from past mistakes, particularly a pivotal pitch selection error in the eighth inning against Marcell Ozuna, which resulted in a three-run hit costing the Mets the game.

Alvarez's metrics show promise in defensive abilities, especially in throwing out runners, but his batting has struggled with a mere .235 average and low slugging percentage. He still displays good power potential, but the Mets hope he evolves into a well-rounded catcher as they navigate his growth and expectations for a player once viewed as a franchise cornerstone.