PHILADELPHIA — If there’s one thing the Mets can’t afford as they try to secure a playoff spot, it’s losing Francisco Lindor.
Though the shortstop and Carlos Mendoza are confident the lower back soreness that knocked Lindor out of Friday’s 11-3 win over the Phillies isn’t serious, the Mets will no doubt be holding their collective breath until he’s back on the field.
“It takes a lot to get Francisco out of a game,” Brandon Nimmo said. “We’re definitely concerned for him. We know he’s obviously a huge part of this team. We wouldn’t be here without him.”
Lindor suffered the injury in the top of the sixth when he stepped awkwardly onto second base after his base hit to center scored Harrison Bader to give the Mets a 7-0 lead.
Lindor said he didn’t expect the throw to get to second as quickly as it did and by the time he realized it was coming, it was too late for him to slide.
He stepped off the base and got caught in a rundown between second and third before he slipped and was tagged out.
Lindor remained in the game and played defense in the bottom of the sixth before he was removed the next inning.
On whether he expected to play Saturday, Lindor said, “I hope so. I pride myself on being available every day.”
In a closer game, Lindor said he probably would have stayed on the field, but the team opted not to push it.
Mendoza called Lindor day-to-day. He’s played in every game this season.
Asked if he was worried the soreness might cost him time, Lindor said, “I hope not,” adding it was still “tight” following the win.
He received treatment during the latter part of the game and said he would see how he felt when he woke up Saturday before he and the Mets decided whether he would be back in the lineup.
With Lindor out of the game, Jose Iglesias moved from second base to short and newcomer Eddy Alvarez entered the game at second.
The Mets don’t have a true backup shortstop and are already monitoring Iglesias’ playing time at second base with Jeff McNeil out for the rest of the regular season.