Mets' Francisco Alvarez Reveals Change to Diet That Led to Weight Loss Ahead of 2026 MLB Season

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez dropped 10 pounds this offseason, and he explained the diet change that led to the loss, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

"The hardest part, Francisco Alvarez said, were the arepas -- large discs of corn dough stuffed with meat, eggs and cheese, which his mother would cook at their South Florida home. This offseason, Alvarez limited himself to only a few in his quest to round into better shape. When asked about missing them, he laughed and playfully dropped a four-letter word.

"Rather than arepas, Alvarez's mother cooked sweet potatoes, chicken and roasted broccoli seasoned with pepper. By the end of the offseason, the catcher had lost approximately 10 pounds. From a regular playing weight of 245 pounds last summer, the 5-foot-10 Alvarez intends to stay between 225-235 this year."

Alvarez has had an up-and-down career since making his debut for the Mets on Sept. 30, 2022.

He showcased his tremendous power in 2023, hitting 25 home runs and amassing 63 RBI in 125 games.

Unfortunately, Alvarez has suffered numerous injuries over the last two years, including a torn ligament in his left thumb (April 2024), a fractured left hamate bone (March 2025) and a torn UCL in his right thumb (September 2025).

Alvarez dealt with numerous issues at the plate and behind the dish over the first part of the 2025 season and was briefly sent to Triple-A Syracuse in June. However, he did impress in his final 26 games of the year from Aug. 12 onward, hitting seven home runs with a .958 OPS. 

The 24-year-old enters 2026 as the starting catcher for the new-look Mets, which could have five new faces in the starting lineup (Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, Luis Robert Jr., Jorge Polanco and perhaps rookie outfielder Carson Benge) on Opening Day, when New York hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, March 26.