The New York Mets broke their 12-game losing streak last night, but they also lost shortstop Francisco Lindor.
The New York Mets welcomed Juan Soto back to the lineup last nigh, but they also suffered what could be a major loss after Francisco Lindor struggled to get around the bases after an apparent injury that was later described as “left calf tightness.”
It’s the same basic injury that just took Soto out, but Lindor’s version appeared to be much worse. Soto was walking around the in the clubhouse the following day before his MRI, but the Mets shortstop was clearly laboring as he couldn’t find an extra gear on the play.
Lindor was trying to score on a double by Francisco Alvarez in the fourth inning last night’s 3-2 win over the Minnesota Twins, and after the game manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the reality of what happened with his shortstop.
"We got relatively good news with Soto and [he] still [missed] three weeks," Mendoza said in a post-game piece written by Jorge Castillo of ESPN. "So we'll see what we're dealing with."
Lindor has a reputation for playing through minor injuries and trying to gut it out with the more serious ones, but he didn’t even attempt to stay in the game after scoring. He went straight to the clubhouse accompanied by a member of the Mets training staff, and he was immedaitely replaced by Bo Bichette, who shifted over from third. Brett Baty replaced Lindor in the lineup and stepped in at third base, which is his natural position.
Clay Holmes was the starter last night, but he didn’t see Lindor in the clubhouse after giving the Mets seven innings of two-run ball.
“When somebody leaves the game, it’s tough,” teammate Clay Holmes said. “I haven’t seen him. I’m not sure what tomorrow will look like. No matter who it is leaving the game, you feel for your teammate.”
The plan is for Lindor to get an MRI, but according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, Mendoza’s comments were based on the assumption that Lindor will see time on the IL.
“[Lindor] is going to get an MRI tomorrow and see what we are dealing with,” said Mendoza. “It sucks and when you see a guy like Lindor, as tough as he is, I knew right away. He was rounding third base and I knew something wasn’t right. We’ll see what we have.”
The Mets do have Bichette, who can fill in and play the position competently, but he’s not a long term solution. He stepped in last night and nearly made a fine backhand play as he ranged toward the hole, but the Mets will probably call up Ronny Mauricio if Lindor goes on the IL.