New York Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor described the MRI on his back Monday as “good news” because it showed no structural damage. Lindor said he could be out “two to three days or three to five days,” but expects to return this season.
Lindor was not in the Mets’ lineup for their game Monday night against the Washington Nationals and did not expect to play. He did not rule out returning for the series against the Philadelphia Phillies, starting Thursday.
“Best-case scenario would be playing against the Nationals,” Lindor said. “I don’t know how realistic that is.”
Lindor’s timetable depends on how his back responds to treatment. He said he will have to manage his back injury once he returns, too. “I’m expecting it to last the rest of the year,” Lindor said. “But it’s going to be manageable.”
With 13 games left, New York (81-68) entered Monday’s game against the Nationals tied with the Atlanta Braves (81-68) for the final playoff spot. The entire wild-card picture remains up for grabs with the San Diego Padres (85-65) and Arizona Diamondbacks (83-66) residing above the Mets and Braves.
Take away Lindor for any period of time, though, and New York’s odds of making the postseason look worse. As pitcher Sean Manaea recently put it: To the Mets, Lindor means everything. He is their most valuable player. Through 148 games, Lindor was producing one of the franchise’s best offensive seasons.
Lindor had a .834 OPS with 31 home runs and 27 stolen bases. He leads the National League in fWAR (7.4).
While Lindor is unavailable, New York expects to play more of rookie shortstop Luisangel Acuna, who was just called up from Triple A a few days ago, and veteran utility infielder Eddy Alvare. Jose Iglesias has seen most of the action at second base since the Mets lost Jeff McNeil earlier this month to a fractured wrist.
Iglesias started at shortstop in place of Lindor and batted leadoff Monday.
“I believe in my teammates,” Lindor said. “I believe in what they can do, and I’ll be their biggest cheerleader today and probably the next couple days.”
(Photo: Mark Blinch / Getty Images)
