The New York Mets are expected to weigh a trade replacement after making a surprising move with their catcher.

The Mets feel like their 23-year-old catcher, who hit 25 home runs in 2023, can be better as a defender and as a hitter.

The New York Mets have sent one of their top young players to Triple-A. Catcher Francisco Alvarez, who has struggled at the plate since returning from surgery to treat a broken hamate, has been optioned to the minors, the Mets announced Sunday. Fellow catcher Hayden Senger has been called up in a corresponding move.