Francisco Alvarez’s roller-coaster season offensively has followed a pattern.
The Mets rookie catcher had a sluggish April and followed it with a dominant May.
Then came a quiet June that preceded a July slugfest that earned him NL Rookie of the Month honors.
But Alvarez, who was on the bench for the 7-6 Mets win in Sunday’s series finale against the Braves at Citi Field, had only a .608 OPS for August as play began.
“You talking about [Alvarez] or Pete [Alonso]?” manager Buck Showalter said. “You know what I am saying? It’s going to happen, and it’s also a path most young players follow.”
Showalter said he and catching instructor Glenn Sherlock have studied the 21-year-old Alvarez’s playing time compared to where it’s been in the minor leagues and are cognizant of not overworking the catcher.
Alvarez is seventh in MLB in games caught, after opening the season at Triple-A Syracuse.
Alvarez arrived to the Mets on April 7 after Omar Narvaez was placed on the injured list. Narvaez missed almost two months.
Now it’s the veteran Narvaez — who was 0-for-3 with a walk, run, and RBI on Sunday — who might be the freshest in summer’s dog days.
“But there’s some things [Alvarez] needs to experience, too,” Showalter said. “You’re playing more and the focus and the concentration level and the mental and emotional tightness of the season is something they need to experience.”
Brandon Nimmo started in left field on Sunday night for the second time in the series as he nurses sore left quadriceps.
Showalter was asked about the possibility of keeping Nimmo, who was 2-for-5, in left for a stretch to examine what other options the Mets might have for center field.
Rafael Ortega received the start in center.
“We don’t necessarily have someone right now to look at, from what I understand, in that capacity,” Showalter said. “We plan on Nim being our center fielder next year and I think again this year he will be back out there. He’s close to being 100 percent.”
Starling Marte likely won’t be activated from the injured list when he is eligible on Wednesday, according to Showalter.
The veteran outfielder has been sidelined with a right groin strain and received injections for his discomfort.
The Mets avoided getting swept Sunday for a seventh time this season.
The Braves had last swept the Mets in a four-game series from May 20-22, 2008 in Atlanta.
The Braves had never swept a four-game series in Queens.
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