Positive momentum is building for the New York Mets as All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor moves closer to a return from injury, offering a much-needed boost to a team searching for stability and consistency.
Before the Mets’ Memorial Day matchup against the Reds, manager Carlos Mendoza delivered encouraging updates, confirming that Lindor has resumed on-field baseball activities. According to Mendoza, the star shortstop has started running, fielding ground balls, and taking swings in batting practice all key steps in his recovery process.
Lindor was also seen going through a full pregame stretching routine, a visible sign that his rehabilitation is progressing in the right direction. For a Mets fanbase eager for good news during a challenging stretch, his presence on the field, even in limited capacity, has sparked renewed optimism.
The Mets have clearly felt his absence. Since Lindor went down, the team has struggled to find stability at shortstop and maintain offensive rhythm. Ronny Mauricio initially took over the role, appearing in 10 games and hitting .219 with one home run and two RBIs, but his momentum was cut short after suffering a left thumb fracture that is expected to sideline him for several weeks.
In his absence, the Mets have rotated through depth options such as Vidal Bruján, while also briefly shifting roles for other infield arrangements, highlighting just how disruptive Lindor’s injury has been to the team’s infield structure.
Even before the injury, Lindor’s 2026 season was a mixed bag statistically. He posted a .226 batting average with two home runs and a .669 OPS through his first 24 games. However, there were signs of improvement just before his setback, as he closed out his last five games going 7-for-17 with an impressive 1.092 OPS suggesting he was beginning to find his rhythm at the plate.
When healthy, Lindor remains one of baseball’s premier switch hitters and a key emotional leader in the Mets lineup, capable of transforming the offense on both sides of the game. His return would not only stabilize the infield but also significantly raise the team’s overall ceiling.
Still, despite the positive developments, his comeback is not imminent. Reports indicate the Mets may not see Lindor return until June, which would place his recovery during one of the most demanding stretches of their schedule. With multiple upcoming series against winning teams, New York will need to remain competitive until their star shortstop is fully ready to rejoin the lineup.
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