PHILADELPHIA — Francisco Lindor’s return to the Mets lineup didn’t last long and there’s no telling what the Mets will get from their shortstop the rest of the way thanks to his balky back.
The shortstop left Sunday’s 2-1 loss to the Phillies — the Mets’ second straight tough defeat — prior to the bottom of the second inning with back discomfort after missing Saturday’s game with the back soreness he experienced in Friday’s win.
He’s set to get an MRI exam Monday in Queens with his availability for the near future in question.
“We’ll do images [Monday] and see if there’s anything concerning,” Lindor said after the game at Citizens Bank Park. “If not, we’ll continue to try to get better. The goal is to be available as many times as I can for the last games we have left.”
Carlos Mendoza waited until the shortstop went through his pregame routine before making the decision to put Lindor in the lineup after he missed his first game of the season Saturday.
“I’m concerned,” the manager said. “He came out of the game [again]. But it’s also early to say I’m really worried.”
Although the injury that forced him out occurred when Lindor tweaked his back while stepping awkwardly on second base on Friday, Lindor said Sunday he’s been dealing with discomfort in the area for about the last two weeks.
Lindor felt OK getting ready Sunday, but he felt the back give on him again as he began to run to first on his single that led off the game.
He remained in the game, but made a high throw to first on a grounder by Trea Turner in the bottom of the inning and was replaced by rookie Luisangel Acuna to start the bottom of the second.
Asked if it might be beneficial to rest the back for a few days instead of possibly making it worse, Lindor said he’d wait for the MRI results.
“If the images show something that’s a little higher risk, then there’s value in more than a couple days off,” Lindor said. “If it’s something that can be healed up pretty quick, then maybe it’s a day or two. As of now, I believe it’s day-to-day.”
“That’s the easy route,” Mendoza said of giving Lindor several days off to make sure the injury subsides. “But I’ve got to give him a chance to see how he’s feeling [Monday].”
Acuna, a top prospect acquired from the Rangers last year in exchange for Max Scherzer, was called up and made his MLB debut on Saturday and had a pair of singles.
The injury comes at an especially bad time for Lindor and the Mets, who need every win they can get with only 13 games remaining in the regular season and the team fighting with Atlanta for the final wild card in the National League.
Asked if they could still make the postseason even without him, Lindor said, “Of course. We have great players and Acuna can play the game. I believe in this team.”