Mets call up Eddy Alvarez, a two-time Olympic medalist, as utility option
United States' Eddy Alvarez, center, and Eric Filia celebrate after a semi-final baseball game against South Korea at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. The United States won 7-2. Credit: AP/Sue Ogrocki
TORONTO — On a Mets roster that features a bunch of the best athletes in the world, their newest player, Eddy Alvarez, might be the most accomplished of them all.
Alvarez, acquired from the Red Sox for cash on Sunday and called up Monday, will fill basic baseball needs for the Mets as a bench option who can hit righthanded pitching, bunt, run and play almost anywhere defensively.
But he also comes with a highly unusual background and fun fact: He is just one of six people to medal in both the summer and winter editions of the Olympics.
Alvarez, 34, won silver in the 5,000-meter relay speed skating event in Sochi in 2014. And he was on the United States baseball squad that captured silver in Tokyo in 2021.
“The Olympics is cutthroat. You train for this one moment every four years, which is crazy to think about. So yeah, this is very similar,” Alvarez said. “This is something that I feel prepared to take on, take on this role. That journey has elevated my baseball career. To be honest, if it wasn’t for my skating journey, I probably never would’ve gotten this far.”
Alvarez pursued minor-league baseball beginning in 2014 and got into 50 major-league games with the Marlins and Dodgers in 2020-22.
Seeking a lefthanded-hitting infielder after losing Jeff McNeil to a fractured right wrist for at least the rest of the regular season, the Mets moved quickly to bring in Alvarez. They designated the righthanded-hitting Pablo Reyes for assignment in what they see as an upgrade.
This season, Alvarez plugged away with Boston’s Triple-A affiliate, batting .247 with an .811 OPS. He hit a career-high 18 home runs and stole 18 bases.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Jose Iglesias still will play second base most days, but added “we have to be mindful, make sure he gets the proper rest.” Alvarez will help with that, including by getting “a start occasionally against a tough righty,” Mendoza said.
All of a sudden, Alvarez is thrust into a playoff race.
“This is incredible. This feels like what I was meant for. I love this kind of baseball,” Alvarez said. “I’ve always thought of myself as a player's baseball player — you know, a guy who can bunt guys over, hit and run, put together good at-bats. The fact that this organization saw something in me, playing in Triple-A, gives me confidence.
“It’s been a challenging season mentally. Being 34 and grinding in the minor leagues with a wife at home and two kids, it has been a challenging year for me. But my wife tells me every day, take the moments as they come.”
Blackburn set back
The Mets scratched Paul Blackburn from his start Monday because of back discomfort that had bothered him for several days but flared up most significantly Sunday.
His best-case scenario involves him pitching this weekend against the Phillies. But Mendoza said they will give it a couple of days to see if he gets better or if he needs to go back to New York to be examined.
“I’ve never had anything like this,” Blackburn said. “We’re trying to get some things to calm down, relieve a little bit of pain that I have and go from there.”
Mendoza said: “This came out of nowhere pretty much.”
Blackburn first felt a problem last Wednesday, the morning after his rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse. He received treatment and the Mets figured he’d be fine for Monday, when he was supposed to return from the injured list (right hand bruise). But upon running outside Sunday, it got worse, so they had to call on Tylor Megill again.
“We didn’t think it was anything serious,” Mendoza said.
Gibby’s return
Bench coach John Gibbons drew a throng of Toronto reporters before the Mets’ series opener with the Blue Jays, his first time back at the Rogers Centre since he left the team more than a half-decade ago.
Gibbons managed the Blue Jays during 11 seasons, from 2004-08 and 2013-18.
Asked if he hoped to get another shot at managing, the 62-year-old Gibbons said, “I’ll tell you what, this bench job is a pretty good job.”
Lindor honored again
For a second consecutive season, the Mets nominated Francisco Lindor for the Roberto Clemente Award.
MLB’s top philanthropic honor goes to the player who best represents the sport “through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field,” it said in a release.
Lindor’s charity work over the past year includes headlining a beach cleanup event in Puerto Rico and hosting local kids at Citi Field once a month to teach them about the importance of dental hygiene.
Extra bases
Dedniel Nunez (right forearm tightness) still hasn’t begun throwing but might this week, Mendoza said . . . Pitching prospect Jonah Tong was named the Eastern League pitcher of the week following his sparking debut with Double-A Binghamton: six no-hit innings with no walks and nine strikeouts.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
