Narvaez will open the season as the Mets' No. 2 catcher behind Francisco Alvarez.

EDGE Analysis

This was the expected role for Narvaez after he played 49 games in 2023 during his first season with New York, slashing a weak .211/.283/.297 with only two homers and seven RBI. The 32-year-old's days as a fantasy asset are behind him, and even if Alvarez were to get hurt, Narvaez would likely split work behind the plate with Tomas Nido, who will begin the season with Triple-A Syracuse.

Narvaez exercised his $7 million player option for 2024 on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, the 31-year-old will return next season as the backup to young Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez. Narvaez slashed just .211/.283/.297 over 49 games (146 plate appearances) in 2023, but he is a good defender behind the plate and had the player option in hand.

Narvaez will start at catcher and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Rangers, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Narvaez will pick up his second start in three games while No. 1 backstop Francisco Alvarez rests. The Mets have suggested that the 22-year-old Alvarez could have his catching workload managed down the stretch, so Narvaez could end up moving into more a timeshare behind the plate in September rather than serving as a clear No. 2 option. Narvaez is slashing .205/.294/.341 with one home run, three RBI and four runs in 16 games since the All-Star break.

Narvaez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Narvaez got the Mets on the board in the fifth inning with a solo homer off Michael Kopech, his first of the year, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Narvaez had been struggling at the plate while shifting to a backup role behind Francisco Alvarez -- he'd gone just 1-for-19 over his previous 11 games. Overall, the 31-year-old Narvaez is slashing just .209/.294/.279 with six runs scored and four RBI through 51 plate appearances.

The Mets reinstated Narvaez (calf) from the 60-day injured list Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Narvaez is finally ready to roll after missing the past two months with a severe calf strain. Francisco Alvarez has seized the Mets' starting catcher job, but Narvaez should still play at least a couple times per week when Alvarez is serving as a designated hitter or receiving a day off.

Mets manager Buck Showalter said Narvaez (calf) will move his rehab assignment from High-A Brooklyn to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Showalter added that Narvaez is on pace to return from the 60-day injured list at the beginning of next week, when the backstop is first eligible for activation. Narvaez opened the season as the Mets' No. 1 catcher but played in just five games before suffering a left calf strain. He's since gotten two rehab games under his belt and will make a few more appearances for Syracuse this week, but Narvaez may have to settle for the No. 2 role once he's activated with Francisco Alvarez having provided the Mets with a major spark on offense since he was called up from Triple-A.

Narvaez (calf) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday with High-A Brooklyn, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Narvaez will probably remain at Brooklyn through the weekend before advancing to Triple-A Syracuse. He needs a lot of rehab at-bats because he's been out since early April due to a severe calf strain, but the 31-year-old catcher is pushing for a return to the Mets around early-to-mid June. It'll be a complicated situation in Queens if Francisco Alvarez, Gary Sanchez and Tomas Nido are all healthy and performing well at that juncture.

Narvaez (calf) expects to begin a rehab assignment by the end of the week, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rookie Francisco Alvarez is rapidly improving and seems to be locking down a significant role behind the dish for the Mets, so Narvaez could find himself competing with Tomas Nido (vision issues) for one roster spot when both backstops are healthy again. Narvaez played only five games this season before suffering a significant calf strain in early April that landed him on the 60-day IL.

Narvaez (calf) will begin a rehab assignment next week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Narvaez has been sidelined with a strained left calf since early April but is now nearing the point where he can return to game action. It's unclear how long the Mets plan on keeping him on assignment, but we'll likely know more as he recovers.

Narvaez (calf) was transferred Thursday from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Narvaez still has at least five more weeks of rest and rehab for the medium-to-high grade calf strain that he suffered in early April. Francisco Alvarez has taken over as the Mets' primary catcher with Tomas Nido backing him up.