PHILADELPHIA — Francisco Lindor’s return to action on Sunday lasted all of one at-bat and one defensive inning.
Lindor is an MVP candidate who entered the day with an .834 OPS and 31 home runs. He’s been a catalyst during the Mets’ second half surge toward a spot in the postseason — so the threat of a lingering injury could shape the team’s playoff chances.
Lindor, who missed his first game of the season on Saturday because of lower back discomfort, returned to his usual perch in the leadoff spot and at shortstop for the Mets’ crucial rubber game against Philadelphia. He led off the first inning with a bloop single to center off Cristopher Sánchez, but he ran very gingerly to first base, barely rounding the bag.
He made one defensive play in the bottom of the first before being replaced by rookie Luisangel Acuña for the bottom of the second inning.
The Mets had said before the game that they were going to be cautious with Lindor, even in such important games down the stretch.
“Health is the No. 1 here,” manager Carlos Mendoza said pregame. “We don’t want him to go out there and put himself at risk.”
Lindor had played in each of the first 147 games of the Mets’ season, starting 146 of them. He left Friday night’s contest against the Phillies in the seventh inning after stepping awkwardly on second base and jamming his back.
(Top photo of Francisco Lindor playing the Phillies: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)
