As the New York Mets’ faithful hold their collective breath after Francisco Lindor’s recent misfortune—a broken pinky toe courtesy of a stray pitch against the Dodgers—there’s a sense of optimism tempering the concern. This injury could be a pesky one for the star shortstop, but Mets manager Carlos Mendoza offers a perspective that keeps the hope alive. According to Mendoza, the team expects Lindor to push through without it being a season-long battle.
Reflecting on Lindor’s current status, Mendoza stated, “I don’t think this is something that he’s going to have to play through the whole year. We feel like at some point the fracture will heal.” These words are a soothing balm for anxious fans, suggesting that the fracture won’t anchor Lindor down indefinitely.
Lindor’s resilience is already on display, as he’s taken to the field in nine games since the injury. The Mets were on a six-game winning buzz before running into a stumbling block with the Tampa Bay Rays, losing three consecutive games on home turf—a first for them this season, as highlighted by Tim Britton of The Athletic. Sunday’s 9-0 tumble at Citi Field marked unfamiliar territory.
Despite the setback, Lindor is soldiering on with notable performance stats. According to Baseball Reference, he’s managed a respectable .273/.351/.364 slash line, sporting a .715 OPS, with three doubles and two RBIs since the incident. ESPN stats underscore Lindor’s pivotal role in the lineup, placing him second in home runs (14) and boasting a .279 average, while chipping in third for RBIs (38) so far this season.
Mendoza remains optimistic about Lindor’s recovery trajectory, noting, “It’s getting better. It’s all about pain tolerance. It feels like, day by day, he’s getting better.” The Mets’ medical team is keenly monitoring his progress, hoping for significant improvement over the next couple of weeks.
The Mets found themselves regrouping after a tough weekend but still clutching onto the National League’s best record at 45-27. Up next is a crucial three-game series against the Atlanta Braves, who, despite a less stellar 31-39 record, are no slouches.
In a strategic move during Sunday’s blowout, Lindor shifted to the designated hitter role. Mendoza explained this decision, saying, “Get him off his feet a little bit, but trying to keep his bat in the lineup, obviously his presence.” With Monday offering a much-needed break, this shift aimed to grant Lindor the extra rest his toe demands.
Whether Lindor will take additional pauses before the All-Star break remains in the air, but for now, both the team and fans are hoping this injury won’t cast a long shadow over his and the Mets’ promising season.
