During the second inning of the New York Mets game against the Washington Nationals, shortstop Francisco Lindor left game action. Lindor’s return to the lineup lasted only one at-bat and one defensive inning.
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He missed Saturday’s game with some back discomfort. Lindor did lead off the first inning with a bloop single to center but he ran gingerly to first base.
Francisco Lindor is out of today’s game in the second inning. He didn’t look comfortable when he was in there, both on the basepaths and at shortstop.
Luisangel Acuña is back at shortstop.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) September 15, 2024
Before the game, New York manager Carlos Mendoza said that the team would be more cautious with Lindor for the stretch run of the season. Lindor has been a catalyst for the incredible turnaround of the Mets season.
“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.”
Without Lindor, the Mets could be in big trouble down the stretch of the season. He has been playing at an MVP level this season and has New York thinking about the playoffs.
Linor has hit .270 with 31 home runs and 86 runs batted in. He has played in 147 games for New York and left Friday night’s game against the Phillies in the seventh inning after stepping on second base awkwardly.
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 11: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets rounds the bases on his home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on September 11, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Lindor left Sunday’s game after just one inning.
Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images
If Lindor has to miss any time, it would be a big hit to the playoff chances of New York. After a slow start to the year, Lindor called a team meeting to hold the rest of the players accountable and it helped turn things around.
“That allowed me to hold guys accountable, and for them to hold me accountable as well. We looked at each other in the eyes and said, “We’ve got to go. We’ve got to get this done. We’ve got to do whatever it takes to make sure we are moving in the right direction. And we’ve got to start by looking at each other’s process and holding each other accountable.”
The Mets currently have a record of 81-67 on the year, currently eight games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for the National League East division. They are currently tied for the final wild-card spot in the NL with the division rival Atlanta Braves.
The hope is that Lindor doesn’t have to miss much time and this is simply a precautionary measure by New York.
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