Tomas Nido is the odd catcher out.
The longtime Mets backup was designated for assignment, the club announced Monday, to clear a logjam behind the plate.
Omar Narvaez was returned from his rehab assignment and will be activated Tuesday in Atlanta, joining Francisco Alvarez as the Mets’ new catching tandem.
The veteran Narvaez, who suffered a calf strain in early April and went 4-for-19 in six rehab games, said Sunday he is “100 percent.”
The 21-year-old rookie Alvarez has blasted eight home runs in his first 38 games and produced a .783 OPS, forcing his way into a major league spot and forcing the Mets into a decision they did not want to make.
The Mets will carry two catchers rather than three, which would have limited the roster’s flexibility.
Other options would have included optioning Mark Vientos, who has yet to hit in 12 major league games and yet to receive steady playing time, or designating for assignment Daniel Vogelbach — who has a .671 OPS and whose specific skill set (hitting righty pitchers and never playing the field) limits the Mets’ options.
Tomas Nido slides into home for the Mets earlier this season.Getty ImagesInstead, the Mets elected to carry a few flawed if potentially dangerous bats and said farewell to a light-hitting if steady backup catcher.
Nido, who was locked up to a two-year, $3.7 million pact this offseason, has long been well-regarded defensively but did not hit enough to win the spot.
In 22 games this season, Nido batted .125 without a home run.
It is likely that dry eye syndrome, which prompted new contact lenses and sidelined him for much of May, played a role in his drop-off.
The Mets have seven days to trade, release or outright Nido to the minor leagues.
They would need to put on him outright waivers by Saturday because it takes 48 hours for a player to clear waivers.
Since Nido has accrued about four years of MLB service and not yet five, he cannot reject an assignment to the minors.
He can elect free agency, but doing so would mean forfeiting a contract that includes $2.1 million for next season.
Nido was an eighth-round pick of the Mets in 2012 and was playing in his seventh major league season with the club, a reliable backup who logged more than 800 major league plate appearances.
Sunday night, Nido posted a peace sign and a saluting emoji on Instagram, appearing to say goodbye.
The emergence of Alvarez — who has not just hit but worked well with the pitching staff — and the return of Narvaez made the 29-year-old expendable.
Alvarez became the everyday catcher in May, when he hit and caught like the No. 1 prospect he was hyped to be.
“He has instincts. You can never teach instincts,” Max Scherzer said after working with Alvarez on Thursday. “You either have them or you don’t. He’s got that ‘it factor’ to him. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, too, for being a young kid and wants to learn.”
Francisco Alvarez has taken over as the No 1 catcher for the Mets.Getty ImagesNarvaez was an All-Star as recently as 2021.
The Mets signed the 31-year-old this offseason to a significant deal that guarantees him $8 million this year and comes with a player option for 2024.
Narvaez, a lefty hitter who likely will see spot starts against righty starters, played in just five games before hurting his calf.
Tomas Nido lays down a bunt for a Mets this seasonUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con He might have been signed to be a regular, but the likelihood remains that Alvarez has won the bulk of the workload.
“I feel like I’m ready to play,” Narvaez said after the Mets were swept by the Blue Jays at Citi Field on Sunday. “I feel like I can play every day. … I’m not who is making the lineup. So if the team needs me to be out there for two games or 10 games, I’ll be there.”
