DENVER Francisco Alvarez this season, but the offensive power numbers on which he built much of his reputation have been lacking. The Mets catcher entered play Tuesday with a .263/.327/.419 slash line numbers many teams would take from a starting catcher. But Alvarez only had five homers in 186 at-bats as the day began, well off his pace last season, when he homered 25 Zamir White Jersey times in 382 at-bats as a 21-year-old rookie. The obvious answer would be to say Alvarez is banged up. Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) hits an RBI single during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 4, 2024. Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports He underwent April surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb that sidelined him for 1 months and recently has been playing through left shoulder sorene s. But if his health is a factor in his offensive dip, Alvarez isnt about to say. I have no excuse for that, Alvarez said Tuesday before the Mets opened a three-game series against the Rockies at Coors Field. Alvarez entered play with only one homer in his past 90 at-bats. That blast occurred on July 26 against the Braves at Citi Field. For July, he hit only .200 with a .577 OPS. Alvarezs walk rate from last season has increased with his strikeouts dropping, but one telling statistic is a hard-hit ball rate that has dropped from 45.1 percent to 40.1 percent. Explore More Right now, I want to stay back a little bit more and I dont want to chase the sliders, Alvarez said. I have been looking for something up and they are throwing the slider down. The numbers back Alvarezs a sertion. He owned a .535 slugging percentage against fastballs as play began, but facing breaking pitches that number was an anemic .282. I think hes been a little off with his timing, manager Carlos Mendoza said. When hes late, hes not putting himself in a position where he can do damage. Mechanically, you will see this. But checking with him, his thumb, he had that left shoulder [i sue] and none of that is affecting the power. Hes still going to go out there and give you good at-bats and Im not concerned. If the power outage has bothered Alvarez, it hasnt been evident to the manager. Hes the same guy, Mendoza said. He wants to win. Much of Alvarezs drought has occurred during a stretch in which Brandon Nimmo is looking to rebound and Pete Alonso despite a small burst over the past week hasnt approached the power numbers expected from him. Jose Iglesias hot bat over his first six weeks in a Mets uniform has regre sed toward the mean, but the Mets have gotten a boost from Jeff McNeil. The Mets began the day 1.5 games out of the National Leagues third wild-card spot. Francisco Alvarez (4) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Los Angeles Angels. Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports Alvarez said if the Mets pitchers are prepared and the team keeps winning, . I think the most important thing is were winning the fight and thats the most important thing keep winning, Alvarez said. I am very focused on my pitcher and the best I can do for me is call a good game. When its time to hit and do something offensive, I have my plan and if I dont [execute] I have to keep going because I have to catch the next inning. Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts after he strikes out swinging during the 8th inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field, Thursday, July 25, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST With almost two months still left in the regular season, Alvarez says there is a surge remaining in him offensively. Theres two more months, Alvarez said And were going to the playoffs, too, so maybe three more months. Thomas Blackshear Jersey