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Francisco Lindor leaves Mets game early after brief return from injury

PHILADELPHIA – Francisco Lindor’s return to the Mets lineup didn’t last long.

The shortstop left Sunday's game against the Phillies before the end of the second inning after missing Saturday's loss due to back soreness.

Carlos Mendoza waited until the shortstop completed his game preparation routine before making the decision to play Lindor, who missed his first game of the season after spraining his back on an awkward kick to second base in Friday's win at Citizens Bank Park.

But after Lindor jogged to first base on a leadoff bloop single and made a high throw to first base on a grounder by Trea Turner in the bottom half of the inning, he was replaced by Luisangel Acuna early in the bottom half of the second inning.

Acuna, a top prospect acquired by the Rangers last year in exchange for Max Scherzer, was called up for his MLB debut on Saturday and recorded two singles.

Before the game, Mendoza said that Lindor's health was more important than getting him back on the field, even though the Mets need every win with only 14 games left in the regular season and the team is tied with Atlanta for the last wild card spot in the National League on Sunday.


Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (l.) during his team's game against the Phillies on September 13, 2024.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (l.) during his team's game against the Phillies on September 13, 2024. JASON SZENES/NEW YORK POST

Starling Marte was out of the lineup Sunday after being hit in the left forearm by a pitch Saturday. Mendoza said X-rays after Saturday's game came back negative. Tyrone Taylor started in right field.

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