This time of year, nearly all Major League Baseball discourse revolves around the Trade Deadline. For contenders like the Mets, most of that discussion is about the areas they can improve.

It might have been Mauricio’s best game to date, with the rookie third baseman going 4-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and his fifth home run of the season. The 24-year-old was a triple away

With Hayden Birdsong in Triple-A and Landen Roupp injured, the Giants had to use their first planned bullpen game of the season

Monday wasn't just a return to the majors for Francisco Alvarez; it was a culmination of hard work and a good attitude by the Mets catcher that the organization and fans have grown accustomed to seeing during his young career.

NEW YORK (AP) — Just back from the minors, Francisco Alvarez played a major role in the New York Mets’ comeback win. After tearing up Triple-A pitching for a few weeks, the 23-year-old catcher returned to New York’s starting lineup Monday night and provided a huge lift in a 7-5 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

In his second game back from Triple A, Francisco Alvarez hit a game-tying home run that sparked the Mets to a 3-2 win over the Angels on Tuesday.

Twenty-nine days later on Monday, the 23-year-old righthanded catcher – after mashing 11 homers in 19 minor-league games – was officially recalled and batted eighth in the Mets’ series opener against the Angels at Citi Field.

The bottom of the Mets' lineup has struggled with a .612 OPS since June, but Monday showed why internal help might be coming.

The Mets are recalling their young catcher, a source said Sunday, after he laid waste to minor league pitching for nearly a month. Alvarez, who was optioned amid offensive and defensive struggles on June 22, reported to Syracuse and made adjustments on both sides of the ball that he hopes will translate to the majors.

He hit a one-out double off the rightfield wall in a 5-5 game in the eighth inning, moving Brett Baty to third. Baty ultimately scored on Ronny Mauricio’s grounder to third, sliding into home on a missed catch by Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe of Sayville. Alvarez scored later in the inning on Brandon Nimmo’s sac fly.

On the latest episode of The Mets Pod presented by Tri-State Cadillac, Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo look back at the week that was coming off of the All-Star break