Francisco Alvarez praised for handling Mets pitchers

OAKLAND, Calif. — Francisco Alvarez still isn’t hitting, but he received positive reviews from his manager on Saturday for his handling of Mets pitchers.

So much so that Buck Showalter is considering giving the rookie a second straight start behind the plate for Sunday’s series finale against the Athletics.

Alvarez’s case is bolstered by his familiarity with Jose Butto, who will play in place of Max Scherzer.

Scherzer was pushed back to Wednesday due to persistent back pain.

“I thought [Alvarez] played really well behind the plate with a lot of different pitchers today,” Showalter said after the Mets’ 3-2 victory on Saturday.

Alvarez lined up a bunt from Esteury Ruiz in the ninth inning and threw to first base for the first out.

He also caught Tony Kemp’s squib in front of the plate and threw to first for the second out.

At plate, Alvarez has gone hitless in three at bats and is 1-for-11 (.091) since joining Triple-A Syracuse following Omar Narvaez’s placement on the disabled list with a sprained left calf.

Francisco Alvarez catches a pop-up in the eighth inning of the Mets’ 3-2 win over the A’s.PA

“It’s long,” Showalter said. “I hope they think they’ve found a way to pitch it. If he’s successful, they won’t pitch it like they’re doing now.

The Mets placed Stephen Nogosek on injured reserve with a bone bruise in his right elbow a day after he was hit by a line drive and forced out of the game.

Meanwhile, Dennis Santana has been designated for an assignment.

Jimmy Yacabonis was selected from Triple-A Syracuse to give the Mets another reliever, and Butto took the other spot on the roster.

Showalter said the plan was to let Nogosek potentially pitch the last 4 ¹/₃ innings on Friday night, but the right-hander left with the injury after getting just three outs.

Santana was used for the next 2 ¹/₃ innings.

Justin Verlander hosted a side session in Port St. Lucie, Fla., without any issues, according to Showalter.

The right-hander was throwing a mound for the first time since the start of the season on the injured list with a strained teres major muscle near his armpit.

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Progression has Verlander throwing another bullpen session and live batting practice before he’s penciled in for a rehab start in a minor league.

The right-hander said he plans to pitch his first game for the Mets sometime this month.

Showalter deflected questions on third baseman Brett Baty, who is off to a torrid start for Syracuse as Eduardo Escobar, who didn’t play Saturday, continues to struggle.

Baty hit a grand slam on Friday for his fifth homer in nine games to start the season.

“That’s what [Baty] is supposed to do – they all are,” Showalter said. “They’re a good team there. I would challenge anyone to find a more promising Triple-A club than ours.

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