The New York Mets received an encouraging update on star shortstop Francisco Lindor as he edges closer to his long-anticipated return from a left calf strain that has kept him sidelined for more than two months. The injury, which has significantly disrupted both Lindor’s season and the Mets’ overall campaign, has limited the 32-year-old to just 24 games in 2026 and contributed to New York’s underwhelming position in the standings.
Lindor has been out since April 22, when he suffered the calf strain in a win over the Minnesota Twins. Since then, he has been working through a lengthy rehabilitation process, also recovering from earlier offseason surgery on his left hamate bone. After initially returning for Opening Day following that procedure, he was once again struck by injury setbacks shortly into the season, forcing him into his longest absence in 12 years in Major League Baseball.
According to reports, Lindor is now expected to play at least one more rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse before the Mets make a final decision on activating him from the injured list. Team officials, including manager Carlos Mendoza, have indicated that his status will be reassessed after that outing, with a potential return to the major league roster expected within days.
Mendoza noted that Lindor is trending in the right direction but emphasized that the organization wants to ensure he is fully ready before rejoining the lineup. If all goes according to plan, the All-Star shortstop could be activated during the Mets’ series against the Chicago Cubs, possibly as early as June 24 or June 25.
Despite his reputation as one of the league’s premier shortstops, Lindor has struggled in limited action this season. Over 24 games, he has posted a .226 batting average with a .314 on-base percentage and a .355 slugging percentage, along with two home runs and five RBIs. The Mets hope that a clean bill of health will allow him to rediscover his form and provide a much-needed boost to the offense.
New York’s struggles have been evident throughout the season, as the club sits near the bottom of the National League standings and remains well behind division leaders in the NL East race. With their playoff hopes fading, Lindor’s return is seen as a potential spark that could stabilize the lineup and help the Mets regain momentum in the second half of the season.
Leave a Reply