PORT ST. LUCIE — Position players don’t officially report to Mets camp until early next week, but New York already has a significant injury concern on their infield.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor has a stress reaction in his left hamate bone, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns revealed on Tuesday afternoon.
Lindor is scheduled to visit a hand specialist on Wednesday to determine if he needs surgery. That procedure comes with a six-week recovery timetable. That puts Lindor right up against it with Opening Day six weeks from Thursday.
That’s a tight timeline with no margin for error, but Stearns is confident that he’ll have his starting shortstop available for Game 1.
“Even if it does require surgery, we remain optimistic that Francisco would be back for Opening Day,” Stearns said.
This injury for Lindor could be years in the making. Stearns explained that Lindor has been managing soreness in his left hand and wrist on and off for the last couple of seasons, something he’s been able to “grind through” in the past. It persisted to a point recently where Lindor felt it was smart to notify the Mets’ medical staff. After an examination, it was determined that he needed to see a specialist.
Asked how the Mets would move forward at shortstop if Lindor is out to begin the year, and if they need coverage at the position, Stearns reiterated that he’s expecting to have Lindor for the beginning of the regular season.
“I think if we need that, we’ll tackle that when we when we get to Opening Day,” he said. “I think right now, we remain optimistic and confident that even if Francisco has to go through the surgery, he’ll be back by Opening Day. If we get closer to Opening Day, then we’ll be able to have those discussions and determine what our best course of action is.”
In the meantime, the Mets will turn to a mix of veterans and non-roster invitees at shortstop this spring. Stearns mentioned Vidal Bruján, Ronny Mauricio, Christian Arroyo, Jackson Cluff and Grae Kessinger.
