It seemed improbable four months ago that the New York Mets would ever be surging toward the playoffs. It's even more improbable now that they're doing it without their superstar.
After taking three of four games from the first-place Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets are two games ahead of the Atlanta Braves for the final National League Wild Card spot. They won six of their seven contests this week, and they did it all without their team's most valuable player.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor has not played since Sept. 15, nursing a mysterious lower back injury that neither he nor the Mets have given a public diagnosis. With a crucial series with the Braves looming, Mets fans have been on pins and needles wondering when Lindor will be able to return.
On Sunday night, after the Mets defeated the Phillies 2-1 in the series finale, Lindor addressed his current health outlook heading into the season's final week. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com posted on X that Lindor's response was something of a mixed bag.
"Francisco Lindor says he's unlikely to play without pain again this season. But he is okay with that and still wants to return as soon as trainers clear him," DiComo said. "Asked if he'll definitely play again in the regular season, Lindor replied: 'I'm optimistic that I'm going to play.'"
Before the injury, Lindor had an outside shot at taking the NL MVP award from Shohei Ohtani. He's had by far his best season as a Met in 2024, hitting 31 home runs, stealing 27 bases, playing Gold Glove defense, and racking up 6.6 wins above replacement.
The good news for Mets fans is that in Lindor's absence, rookie callup Luisangel Acuña has held down the shortstop job. He's 11-for-29 in his first nine big-league games, with three home runs and a 1.228 OPS.
Ultimately, though, the Mets need Lindor. Ideally, they'd get him back ahead of this Braves series, but his murky response Sunday leaves that far from a certainty. And if they make the postseason, they'll be far less of a threat without their leadoff hitter setting the tone.
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