Francisco Alvarez, Jeff McNeil return to finally make Mets lineup whole

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.WASHINGTON — It took almost a month into the season, but manager Carlos Mendoza finally got to fill out a batting order Friday that included everybody from the projected Opening Day lineup.The return of Francisco Alvarez and Jeff McNeil from the injured list gave the Mets a new look as they opened a four-game series against the Nationals, albeit unsuccessfully with a 5-4 loss.“Coming into this year, [Alvarez and McNeil] were going to be a big part of this team and this lineup,” Mendoza said at Nationals Park.

“Here they are, healthy and ready to go.”Alvarez, who went 1-for-4 with a strikeout Friday, was rehabbing from surgery to remove a broken hamate bone in his left hand.He will return to primary catching duties, but Mendoza expects to find opportunities for Luis Torrens, who shined as the starter in Alvarez’s absence.McNeil, who also went 1-for-4, will play second base and outfield (possibly with some of that action in center), displacing rookie Luisangel Acuña from regular playing time.

Acuña has been a bright spot for the Mets offensively, defensively and on the bases.Mendoza was asked if he was concerned about disrupting the chemistry — the Mets are a major league-best 18-8 — by inserting two new names into the lineup.“They are a big part of this team, even when they weren’t playing they were around,” Mendoza said.“And last year they were a big part of this team.

That’s what it’s going to take — it’s going to take more than 26 guys and here we are getting two of the bigger pieces [back].That’s a good group in that clubhouse and they will fit right in.”McNeil, who strained an oblique in spring training, was set to play his first regular season game since Sept.

6 of last season.He missed most of the final month last year rehabbing from a broken wrist after he was hit by a pitch.

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