Mets send top prospect Francisco Alvarez to Triple-A

The New York Mets have demoted their top prospect, catcher Francisco Alvarez, to Triple-A Syracuse after a slow spring training performance. Alvarez was given an extended look due to Omar Narvaez's absence for the World Baseball Classic, but his quiet bat and the presence of Narvaez and Tomas Nido on the roster made it unlikely for him to make the Opening Day roster. Manager Buck Showalter praised Alvarez's defensive skills and hopes he will spend the season at Syracuse to further develop.