Francisco Alvarez was back in the lineup Tuesday after getting back-to-back games off in an effort to help him get out of the slump that has stretched back to late June.
Carlos Mendoza hoped the time off would provide a “reset” for the 22-year-old who hit 25 homers a year ago, but has been a mess at the plate for much of this year.
Alvarez singled and scored in a four-run eighth-inning in the 7-2 win over Boston at Cit Field, but prior to the game, he acknowledged how rough the struggles have been on him.
“I think this is the worst moment in my career right now,” Alvarez said. “From the minor leagues and to the majors this year and last year. The past two months have been the worst.”
It’s easy to see why, as Alvarez — who hit ninth in the lineup Tuesday — has just seven extra-base hits, 50 strikeouts and an OPS of .495 in his previous 49 games.
That contrasts with his first 15 games off the injured list in June, when he had eight extra-base hits and got his season OPS to that point up to .918.
Alvarez said he felt good, both with the thumb that sent him to the IL earlier in the season, as well as his body overall.
“I’ve never felt this good physically in September,’’ Alvarez said.
The results haven’t followed, although he did hit a rocket through the right side of the infield Tuesday.
Alvarez said he spent the two days out of the lineup working both at the plate and watching video and was confident he’d helped get himself righted at the plate, where he hasn’t hit the ball as hard as a year ago and has also hit more grounders and less fly balls than in his rookie season.
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On the recent road trip, before giving Alvarez what he called a “mental break,” Mendoza said the catcher continued to be “our guy” behind the plate, in spite of his lack of production.
“I know he believes in me and I believe in me,’’ Alvarez said. “That’s the most important thing: I believe in my ability.”
And president of baseball operations David Stearns stood by Alvarez, as well, on Tuesday.
“Every player goes through this and young players certainly go through this,’’ Stearns said. “Given the success [Alvarez] had in his first season in the big leagues and periods this year, it’s easy to forget how young this player is and how much we’ve asked of him as an organization, beginning with last year.”
Stearns pointed to Alvarez’s work defensively, where he’s tasked with getting the most out of a pitching staff that has mostly overachieved.
“What he does behind the dish, the amount of attention and focus he gives to our pitchers, and leadership,’’ Stearns said. “That’s a lot on a young player. I think he’s handled most of it really well. There’s gonna be ups and downs and right now, he’s going through a down period. We have a ton of confidence [Alvarez] is gonna snap out of this this year and for years to come.”
Stearns added the team had to be “mindful” to not ask Alvarez to do too much.
In the meantime, Alvarez said he’s tried to not let it impact the other parts of his game.
“I always try to be positive, even if I’m not doing [well],’’ Alvarez said. “I try to be a good teammate, don’t show frustration. It’s a tough time for me, but I do my best everywhere.”
