Francisco Alvarez returns to action as pinch hitter a day after back injury

MILWAUKEE — Francisco Alvarez was on the bench for Saturday’s game after departing the previous night with back spasms, but found his way into action.

The catcher entered as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning of the 6-0 loss to the Brewers and remained in the game in the bottom of the frame.

A night earlier, Alvarez reached for his back upon sliding into third base in the seventh inning and had to be helped by teammates in walking from the dugout to the clubhouse, but manager Carlos Mendoza said Alvarez soon began feeling better.

Even so, Mendoza opted to give Luis Torrens a start behind the plate Saturday.

The Brewers were 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts against Alvarez on Friday, but Mendoza wouldn’t put the blame on his starting catcher.

“There is a lot of noise with Alvarez, but I think it starts on the mound,” Mendoza said. “We have to give the catchers a chance here. [The Brewers] are good. Not only are they fast, but they have got information and they are going to pick up some tips, so we have to do a good job of protecting our house.”

On this night, the Brewers were 2-for-2 in stolen bases (one came against Torrens and the other with Alvarez in the game).

Torrens has thrown out 13 of 26 (50 percent) of runners attempting to steal against him.

Mendoza after the game named David Peterson as his starting pitcher for Sunday. The lefty Peterson was scheduled to pitch the Wednesday game in Atlanta that got postponed.

Jeff McNeil is close to beginning exercises following the wrist fracture that has kept him sidelined since Sept. 7. The Mets utilityman has been away from the team for about a week as he awaits the birth of a child.

Sean Reid-Foley is not a candidate to pitch for the Mets at any point in the postseason. Mendoza made it official that the right-handed reliever is finished for the season.

Jose Iglesias singled in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 19 games. During his hitting streak, Iglesias is 30-for-72 (.417). It’s the longest hitting streak by a Mets player since Wilson Ramos hit in 26 straight games in 2019.