Francisco Lindor made his first appearance of the spring in the Grapefruit League on Sunday, marking a promising step in his recovery from hamate bone surgery as Opening Day approaches.
The Mets inched closer to finalizing their lineup when Lindor returned to action. Known for recovering quickly from injuries, the shortstop appears to be ahead of schedule after undergoing surgery earlier in spring training.
Lindor led off and started at shortstop during the game, playing four innings. At the plate, he finished 1-for-3, recording a hard-hit single with an impressive 105-mph exit velocity. The hit came shortly after he narrowly missed a home run that drifted foul by just a few inches.
Before the season begins, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns had said the team wanted to see Lindor play in actual games before confirming his availability for Opening Day. His participation on Sunday improved the chances that he will be ready when the regular season starts.
Despite limited time left in the spring schedule, Lindor is expected to accumulate as many plate appearances as possible. He previously mentioned that he typically aims for 50 to 60 at-bats during spring training, though he understands he may fall short of that target this year with only a handful of games remaining.
As long as Lindor experiences no discomfort from the surgery, he is likely to appear in several of the Mets’ remaining spring games. Additional simulated games could also help him increase his number of at-bats before the season begins.
Lindor said his main goal this spring is simply to feel comfortable during his plate appearances, especially since it’s his first time facing live competition since the end of the 2025 season. His early performance will be closely watched, particularly because he has historically been a slow starter.
The Mets are counting on Lindor to anchor the top of their revamped lineup this year. After dealing with a broken pinky toe during part of the 2025 season and undergoing a right-elbow procedure afterward, the team is hopeful that he can stay healthy throughout the upcoming campaign. ⚾
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