Mets' Jeff McNeil, Francisco Alvarez reach base in another Single-A rehab game

Mets injured starters Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez continued their rehab assignments with Single-A St. Lucie on Sunday afternoon.

Mets' Jeff McNeil, Francisco Alvarez reach base in another Single-A rehab game

Before the Mets won their rubber game over the Athletics on Sunday afternoon in Sacramento, a pair of their injured starters contributed to the top of a minor league lineup back east in Florida.

Jeff McNeil (oblique) and Francisco Alvarez (fractured hand) continued their rehab assignments with Single-A St. Lucie, and the tandem combined to hit 1-for-7 with a walk and three strikeouts in the team's 2-1 loss to Single-A Lakeland (Tigers' affiliate). The veteran infielder collected a single in three trips to the plate, while the fourth-year catcher went hitless in four at-bats but reached base on balls once.

McNeil's rehab stint began on Friday, and as the leadoff hitter manning second base, he went 1-for-2 with a walk and run across five innings. The former NL batting champion played seven innings on Sunday, and he's expected to play again on Tuesday -- this time with Triple-A Syracuse -- according to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.

As for Alvarez, he played his second rehab game alongside McNeil (third total) and threw out a runner trying to steal second in the sixth inning. Mendoza recenty said the plan is for the 23-year-old backstop to travel back to Citi Field on Monday for doctor evaluation and then join McNeil for Tuesday action with Triple-A Syracuse.