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The season hasn’t started yet, but the New York Mets have suffered a major blow due to injury.
Star shortstop Francisco Lindor has been experiencing pain in his left hamate bone in recent days and will be evaluated by a specialist for a possible stress reaction, president of baseball operations David Stearns said 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 a game against the Washington Nationals in the fourth inning at Nationals Park in Washington, District of Columbia, August 19, 2025. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)
If he does, the standard recovery time is about six weeks, which would be closer to Opening Day. The Mets open the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26, 44 days from now.
Lindor was an iron man throughout his five seasons with the Mets, as well as throughout his Major League career. He hasn’t been on 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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Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets hits a home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in New York, New York, Sunday, September 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Last season, in 160 games, Lindor hit .267 with 31 home runs and 86 RBIs, along with 31 stolen bases. He was named to the National League All-Star team last season and finished 10th in NL MVP voting.
Lindor was to be the only remnant of a renovated infield on Opening Day. The Mets made a splash by signing Bo Bichette to play third base, trading 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 against Heliot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Calif., Saturday, July 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Bichette has never played third base in his career, as he has primarily played 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.
