After a rough start to 2026 that included mental mistakes, errors, and poor hitting, Francisco Lindor looked like he was finally breaking out of his early-season slump.
He smashed a three-run home run off Simeon Woods-Richardson on Tuesday and recorded two more hits against rookie Connor Prielipp on Wednesday.
For the first time in a while, it seemed like the sky wasn’t falling in Queens.
Juan Soto returned from his calf injury, Clay Holmes was pitching spectacularly, and the lineup was one step closer to full strength.
Unfortunately, nothing ever seems to go right for the Mets.
On Wednesday night, Lindor grimaced and slowed down while running from first to home on a Francisco Álvarez RBI double.
Even on a night when the Mets ended their dreadful 12-game losing streak, it didn’t feel like a true win because of the injury.
After the game, Carlos Mendoza announced that Lindor’s strain was not the same as Soto’s and that he was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday.
Ideally, the Mets will have Lindor back in six to eight weeks, placing his return somewhere between mid-June and the All-Star break.
This leaves a hole at shortstop for the foreseeable future, but the team has several options to fill that void.
1. Bo Bichette
With Lindor injured and Bichette having mixed results at third base, moving him back to his natural position could be a strategy Mendoza employs.
This would likely improve the Mets’ defense, as Bichette is more comfortable at shortstop.
Additionally, Brett Baty could return to third base, giving the team an infield alignment of Baty–Bichette–Semien–Vientos.
2. Ronny Mauricio
Another option is playing Ronny Mauricio everyday to give him an opportunity .
He was initially projected to replace Lindor if he couldn’t play on Opening Day, which reflects how highly the organization values him.
Mauricio has started red-hot in Triple-A, recording six home runs, 13 RBIs, five stolen bases, and a .987 OPS in his first 15 games.
He has already had a memorable moment in 2026, hitting a walk-off RBI single against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Last night, the Mets hinted that this could be the plan, as the infield featured Bichette, Mauricio, Semien, and Vientos.
If Mauricio improves his plate discipline and lowers his chase rate, he has the potential to become a dynamic player due to his power, athleticism, and speed.
3. Vidal Bruján
This is more of a wild-card option, but Bruján is another candidate to replace Lindor.
He has gotten off to a solid start in Triple-A Syracuse, posting a .259 batting average, one home run, four RBIs, and three stolen bases in his first 17 games.
His versatility is extremely valuable, as he can play nearly every infield and outfield position .
Additionally, he is a switch-hitter, which could make him a valuable contributor if Mauricio struggles in the coming weeks.
My name is John Pagnotta and I live in Queens, NY. I am a freshman at St. John’s University and I am majoring in journalism. I am a huge fan of the Jets, Mets, Islanders, and Knicks. I started following sports when I was around 7 years old and I have not lost love for it ever since!
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