Francisco Alvarez returned to the Mets lineup Tuesday, catching and batting ninth against St. Louis just four weeks after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus. The 24-year-old went 3-for-13 with six games at catcher during his rehab stint at Triple-A Syracuse. Manager Carlos Mendoza praised his recovery, saying nobody expected him back so quickly.

Alvarez's return comes at a crucial time for New York's offense, which has struggled without his presence. Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger combined for just a .215 average with two homers while Alvarez was sidelined, leading to Senger's option to Syracuse. Meanwhile, Kodai Senga's rehab hit a setback when he experienced a ulnar nerve reaction during between-starts work, delaying his minor league appearance.

Senga, who posted a 9.00 ERA in five starts before landing on the IL, remains day-to-day in his recovery. Shortstop Francisco Lindor is expected to resume full baseball activities this week after missing significant time with a calf strain. Infielder Jorge Polanco's MRI revealed only inflammation in his left Achilles, though he'll likely remain as a designated hitter initially.

The Mets need Alvarez's bat and Senga's potential contributions to stay competitive in the NL East race. His quick return provides immediate help behind the plate, while the pitching staff waits for Senga to regain form.