Mets Jeff McNeil, Francisco Alvarez set to take next step in respective rehabs

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.The Mets have been without two of their key lineup threats for the first weeks of the season, but that could change in the coming weeks.Both Jeff McNeil (oblique) and Francisco Alvarez (hamate bone) were scheduled to head to Port St.

Lucie on Tuesday after hitting outside at Citi Field before the Mets’ 10-5 win over the Marlins on Tuesday.Carlos Mendoza said Alvarez would start a rehab assignment with Low-A St.Lucie on Wednesday, while McNeil will be in extended spring training, with a rehab assignment to begin potentially this week.The manager didn’t provide a timeline for their return to the Mets, but they are making steps in the right direction.For Alvarez, Mendoza said, “It’s gonna come down to him catching back-to-backs [games], nine innings and getting four or five at-bats [in a game].”Having that progression starting Wednesday is encouraging.“The fact he’ll play in games against real competition is a good sign,’’ Mendoza said before the Mets’ win.

Mendoza noted that since McNeil is dealing with a strained oblique, his return could be more complicated.“Obliques are tricky,’’ Mendoza said of the strain.“We’ll continue to watch and monitor and see how he responds in games and when he faces fastballs and breaking balls and has to make swing decisions.”The Mets have survived well enough without both players, even as Hayden Senger has had to fill in for Luis Torrens behind the plate, with Torrens also out with a forearm contusion.And McNeil’s replacements, Luisangel Acuña and Brett Baty, have been fine at second base, but neither has produced offensively.“They are part of the everyday lineup,’’ Mendoza said of Alvarez and McNeil.

“They’ll continue to make our lineup a lot deeper: a right-handed hitter with power [in Alvarez] and a lefty hitter in Jeff with bat-to-ball skills, a batt...