Mets' Francisco Alvarez exits spring training game with back tightness, considered day-to-day

Mets  catcher Francisco Alvarez was pinch-hit for early in Thursday's spring training game against the Astros. Alvarez struck out in his only at-bat and caught starter Kodai Senga for three innings, but when his turn at the plate came up in the fourth with the bases loaded and two outs, manager Carlos Mendoza had catcher Jose Aular pinch-hit and the youngster walked in a run to give the Mets a 3-0 lead. After the game, Mendoza said that Alvarez's back tightened up and they took him out as a precaution.

They consider him day-to-day and he won't play in Friday's game. Mendoza made a point to say that if it were the regular season, he would have played through it. Entering Thursday's game, Alvarez was having a very strong spring.

After his one AB against the Astros, Alvarez was 8-for-22 (. 364) with three doubles, one home run and four RBI in 10 games.