The New York Mets are closing in on Opening Day for the 2026 season. March 26 at Citi Field against the Pirates. The roster is gearing up. One question remained heading into the weekend.
Francisco Lindor answered it Sunday. The All-Star shortstop made his Grapefruit League debut against the Blue Jays. He’d been rehabbing from hamate bone surgery for over a month. Four innings at shortstop and three plate appearances later, the concern eased.
After the game, Lindor provided an update on how he was feeling.
Lindor Opens Up On Injury Recovery
Lindor ripped a single into deep right field. He said that after each hit, he felt something in his left wrist. Surgeons removed the hamate bone February 11. The sensation wasn’t pain exactly. Just different.
“There’s going to be moments, yeah, for sure,” Lindor said. “That’s something that the trainers have said since Day 1, that I’m going to feel something. There was a bone removed, and there’s a lot of nerves there and soft tissue stuff. So yeah, there’s going to be moments I’m going to feel it.”
Doctors said the feeling could last eight weeks. Some peers warned a year or two. Maybe forever. Lindor accepted it.
Despite the odd sensations, the Mets All-Star felt good about Sunday.
“It was a really good experience,” Lindor said. “I felt like I was pretty much like myself, and I finished the game healthy. Overall, it was a good day for me.”
“Felt like I was pretty much like myself and I finished the game healthy. Overall, it was a good day for me.”
Mendoza Praises Progress
Carlos Mendoza has watched Lindor throughout spring training. Pregame work looked good. Back-field sessions looked better. Sunday confirmed what the Mets manager already believed.
“We just let him loose,” Mendoza said. “No hesitation. Watching him going through his pregame work the last few days, watching him on the back fields, yeah, I think he looked like Francisco Lindor.”
The Mets wouldn’t risk Lindor’s hand. Playing through discomfort is fine. Risking further damage isn’t. Mendoza saw Lindor’s swing return to normal during batting practice earlier in the week.
“I saw it right away the other day when he was taking BP…he looks normal,” Mendoza said. “There’s no hesitation there. He’s swinging the bat as he normally would. I’m pretty sure he’s going to feel it…that’s something that he knows…As far as the strength and all that, he’s in a good place.”
GettyCarlos Mendoza of the New York Mets.
Timeline to Mets Opening Day
Hand and wrist soreness hit Lindor at the start of camp. Surgery became necessary. Doctors removed the hamate bone. Recovery was projected at six weeks. Opening Day fell right at the edge of that window.
Lindor has checked every box asked of him. Lindor went 1-for-3 Sunday in the Mets’ 8-1 rain-shortened win. He won’t guarantee March 26. But he’s done everything required.
“I’ve checked every single box to be there,” Lindor said.
Francisco Lindor gets his first hit of the spring 💪‼️
Final Word for the Mets
Francisco Lindor made his spring debut Sunday. He sat down with reporters after.
“I felt like I was pretty much like myself,” he said. The power is there. The swing looks normal. Lindor has checked every box.
The countdown to Opening Day is on. The Mets shortstop is ready.
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