CHICAGO — In all, the Gary Sanchez experiment lasted six days, three games and seven plate appearances.
Instead of keeping Sanchez on the roster and carrying three catchers, the Mets designated the veteran for assignment Thursday, possibly ending his days in the organization. The move coincides with the activation of Puerto Rican player Tomás Nido from the disabled list after battling dry eye syndrome for several weeks.
“We tried to do a few things with Tomas out,” manager Buck Showalter said. “Now Tomás is back, and we will go in a different direction. We try to make the club as good as possible every day. I think now that Tomás is back.”
Nido will resume his role as the Mets’ backup catcher behind Francisco Álvarez, whose recent good seasons have played a role in Sánchez’s assignment plan. Before the series finale against the Cubs on Thursday at Wrigley Field, Álvarez had struck out three times in four games, posting a 1.687 OPS in that stretch. His May batting line is .294/.379/.667, putting him among the best catchers in the game.
“Francisco is doing well,” Showalter said, praising Alvarez’s defense as well as his additions with the staff. “It’s just a combination of having Tomás and that [Álvarez] He also does well. We have good depth at that position.”
“I’m a big fan of him,” added Nido de Álvarez. “He always was. I always told him he was here.”
The Mets now have seven days to trade Sanchez (unbelievable) or place him on waivers. While Sanchez may agree to move up to Triple-A Syracuse if he doesn’t get opportunities out of the order, the Mets can’t force him. If Sánchez wants to be released, the Mets have to give it to him. The Giants already released him this year, before the Mets acquired him in a minor league deal that turned into a $1.5 million deal once he made the big club’s roster.
Sánchez, 30, last played in the majors with the Twins in 2022, . 205 with a .659 OPS in 128 games.
“I’m not sure what Gary’s plans are from now on,” Showalter admitted.
