QUEENS, NY — Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez will begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday with Triple-A Syracuse as he remains ahead of schedule in his return from a sprained UCL in his right thumb.

The 23-year-old added that he does not have "any pain" near the injured area, as he is wearing a splint both while at the plate and working behind it.

"If I end up coming back and it's uncomfortable, maybe my confidence will dip a little bit, but at the moment, my confidence is fine because I feel like I'm ready," Alvarez said on Tuesday ahead of the Mets' middle game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. "I don't feel any pain."

This development has provided a pleasant surprise for Alvarez and the Mets. He was placed on the 10-day injured list last Tuesday, and by Sunday, he was gri

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