PHILADELPHIA — Francisco Lindor returned to the Mets lineup but not for long, and with his bad back, it's unclear what the Mets will get out of their shortstop for the rest of the season.
The shortstop left the game Saturday because of back pain he experienced in Friday's win, then left before the bottom of the second inning of Sunday's game against the Phillies — the Mets' second tough loss — with back pain.
He is scheduled to undergo an MRI scan in Queens on Monday, but his availability for the foreseeable future remains in doubt.
“We use images [Monday] “I'll see if there's anything that concerns me,” Lindor said after the game at Citizens Bank Park. “If there isn't, I'll just keep trying to get better. The goal is to try and play as many of the last games that are left as I can.”
Manager Carlos Mendoza waited until the shortstop, who missed the first game of the season on Saturday, went through his pregame routine before deciding to insert Lindor into the lineup.
“It's a concern,” the manager said. “He's been taken out of the game. [again]”But it's too early to say we're really worried.”
Lindor's injury that forced him out was due to a back strain he suffered while stepping awkwardly into second base on Friday, but he said Sunday he'd been feeling discomfort in the area for about two weeks.
Lindor felt OK to be ready for Sunday, but as he began running to first base after his opening single, he felt the pain in his back again.
He remained in the game but threw high to first base on a Trea Turner grounder in the bottom of the inning and was replaced by rookie Luisángel Acuña as the starter in the bottom of the second inning.
Asked if he would consider resting his back for a few days to avoid making the condition worse, Lindor said he would wait for the results of the MRI.
“If the scans show that you're a little bit at risk, it's worth taking a few days off or more,” Lindor said. “If it's something that heals quickly, it might only take a day or two. I think for now we're just taking it day by day.”
“That's the easy way to go,” Mendoza said of giving Lindor a few days of rest to see if the injury heals, “but we have to give him a chance to see how he feels.” [Monday].”
Acuna, a promising prospect acquired from the Rangers last year in exchange for Max Scherzer, was promoted and made his MLB debut on Saturday, hitting two singles.
The injury comes at a particularly bad time for Lindor and the Mets, who need every win they can get with 13 games left in the regular season and a battle with Atlanta for the final National League wild card spot.
When asked if the team could make the postseason without Acuna, Lindor responded, “Of course. We have great players and Acuna will be able to play. I believe in this team.”
