Alvarez's Back Tightness: Mets Catcher Set for Opening Day

0:00It's March 21st for the New York Mets. Let's get into it. Follow and subscribe for more team news every day. Mets fans held their breath Thursday when catcher Francisco Alvarez left a spring training game early with back tightness. The 24-year-old was pulled as a precaution, but manager Carlos Mendoza quickly downplayed the issue, saying Alvarez wanted to stay in and felt it was minor. Alvarez has been on fire at the plate, hitting 364 over 10 games with 3 doubles, one home run and four runs batted in. The team counts on his bat in the middle of the order to stay competitive right out of the gate. His injury history from last season fueled the worry, including a hamate fracture in spring training, fractured fingers, and a thumb sprain that he battled through all year. Catchers take a beating behind the plate and any setback feels big for a young star like him. The good news kept coming Friday. Mendoza reported Alvarez was moving well after treatment, planning a full workout and batting

1:02practice with a lineup spot likely Saturday if all goes. Smooth? With opening day just next week, the Mets look set to have their key catcher ready, avoiding what could have been a rough start to the season.