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The season hasn’t started yet, but the New York Mets have been dealt a significant injury blow.
Star shortstop Francisco Lindor has been experiencing soreness in his left hamate bone for the past few days and will be evaluated by a specialist for a possible stress reaction, president of baseball operations David Stearns told reporters Tuesday.
Lindor, 32, will be evaluated Wednesday, and how that meeting goes will likely determine whether he needs surgery.
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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) looks on during the fourth inning of a game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, District of Columbia, on August 19, 2025. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)
If he does, the standard recovery time is about six weeks, which would push right up to Opening Day. The Mets begin the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26, which is 44 days away.
Lindor has been an iron man throughout his five seasons with the Mets, as well as his entire Major League career. He has not been in the IL since joining the Mets in 2021 and has played in at least 152 games in each of the last four seasons. Lindor signed a 10-year, $341 million contract with the Mets in April 2021.
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New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in New York City, New York, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Last season, in 160 games, Lindor hit .267 with 31 home runs and 86 RBI along with 31 stolen bases. He was named to the National League All-Star team last season and finished 10th in the NL MVP voting.
Lindor was set to be the lone holdover on a revamped infield on Opening Day. The Mets made a splash, signing Bo Bichette to play third base, trading for Marcus Semien to play second base, and signing Jorge Polanco to play first base.
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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor throws to first for an out to San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Calif., Saturday, July 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
Bichette has never played third base in his career, playing mostly shortstop, while Polanco has only one career appearance at first base. If Lindor is unable to start on Opening Day, the Mets could slide Bichette to shortstop or start top prospect Ronny Mauricio.
