It’s as if the baseball gods enjoy the disparity of Mets fans.
After inducing a painful 10-day IL trip to Juan Soto, followed by a 12-game losing streak, bad luck has yet again struck Queens. Francisco Lindor will hit the 10-day IL due to left calf tightness, with his timetable for return still not fully confirmed.
“We have multiple people still on the MRI, he’s going to be down for quite a bit,” said manager Carlos Mendoza. “We knew right away for Juan Soto it was best-case. I don’t think we’re dealing with the same thing here.”
It’s been a brutal 2026 for Lindor, who underwent surgery to repair a broken hamate bone, which sidelined him for the majority of spring training — sabotaging the ability to start the season strong. For Lindor, the slow start began to turn the corner, batting .316 over his last 10 games, with 12 hits, five RBIs, and two home runs.
When speaking to the media, Lindor said there was a real level of concern with his calf strain. He also added that he didn’t personally know the strain’s grade and didn’t want to find out, since it would mess with his head.
What can the Mets expect as Lindor hits the shelf?
The Shortstop plan
For the Mets, the lone answer is Ronny Mauricio. The former top prospect has all the tools to become a star, but now it’s all about putting everything together. Short stints in the majors haven’t benefited Mauricio, as he’s failed to find consistency while struggling in his sample-size moments. Bo Bichette is a candidate to play short, but Mendoza stated he’d serve more as a backup, having his time at third base locked up.
Mauricio, the 25-year-old, was recalled on April 6 in response to Soto hitting the IL. During his short stint on the major league roster, Mauricio saw four at-bats, delivering a pinch-hit walk-off single in the Mets’ final win before their 12-game losing streak. After hitting Triple-A yet again on April 13, Mauricio has dominated at the plate. His eight hits, along with five home runs and 10 RBIs, have earned himself spot back on the roster.
It may be dramatic, but it feels as if the 26-year-old is playing for his career right now. Finding an opportunity to play consistently at the major league level.
