Mets' Francisco Alvarez, top MLB prospect and NL Rookie of Year candidate, joins team Friday vs. Marlins for New York's home opener

The New York Mets are set to play their 2023 home opener Friday vs. the Miami Marlins at Citi Field. Joining the team is catcher Francisco Alvarez, the franchise's top prospect. Alvarez, who made a brief cameo at the end of the 2022 season, was called up after Omar Narvaez was placed on the IL. The slugging backstop isn't in Friday's starting lineup, but should see plenty of playing time over the next few weeks. New York is -185 for Friday's game at Caesars Sportsbook.

The 21-year-old Alvarez signed with the Mets as an international free agent in July 2018 – on a then club-record $2.7 million bonus -- and has been raking in the minors since. Last year across two levels, he hit .260 with 27 homers and 78 RBI, which are great numbers for a catcher. Alvarez was 2-for-12 with a double, solo homer and four strikeouts in his brief stint in the majors last year. He was included on the Mets' NL Wild Card roster, going 0-for-1 in limited action.

The Venezuelan always was a longshot to make the Mets out of spring training this year. The team was set at catcher with the veterans Narvaez and Tomas Nido. The Mets signed Narvaez in the offseason thinking he could platoon with Nido, giving the team a lefty/righty bat combo, while keeping the seat warm for Alvarez. 

Alvarez hit .107/.194/.107 with no extra-base hits in 31 plate appearances during Grapefruit League play, likely because he was pressing at the plate to make the team. He was sent to Triple-A Syracuse on March 22 mainly to work on his defense by catching every day. There, Alvarez went 4-for-16 with two homers, four RBs and an OPS of 1.056. He's now is needed in the majors because Narvaez left Wednesday's loss in Milwaukee with a severe calf strain that could keep him out at least two months.

Alvarez figures to share time at catcher with Nido while also getting reps at designated hitter. The Mets could use a big bat as they are averaging just 3.29 runs per game in a 3-4 start. They were swept early this week in a three-game set in Milwaukee. Alvarez had been among the NL Rookie of the Year favorites back in the spring but has risen to +1700 at DraftKings because it wasn't clear when he would be called up. Cardinals outfielder Corbin Carroll is currently the +275 favorite to win the award.

Nido will start over Alvarez on Friday, but the Mets could opt to pinch-hit the rookie late in the game if the Mets need offense. 

The Marlins will start right-hander Edward Cabrera on the mound. He took a no-decision vs. New York last Saturday in Miami, allowing two runs over four. It's Tylor Megill (1-0, 3.60 ERA) for the home side. He won opposite Cabrera on Saturday, allowing two runs over six. The Mets won three of four in Miami to open the season. 

Throwing out the ceremonial first pitches Friday will be former Mets players Mookie Wilson, Tim Teufel and Turk Wendell.

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