Mets' Francisco Lindor struggling due to World Baseball Classic?

New York Mets manager Buck Showalter suggested that shortstop Francisco Lindor's participation in the World Baseball Classic is linked to his springtime struggles at the plate. 

"I think as we get away from it we will see some of the effects from it," Showalter remarked about a possible correlation on Tuesday, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. "I think we see a little bit of it even with Lindor, having to start that competitive championship thing in February, as opposed to April." 

Lindor crushed a two-run home run in Tuesday's 6-4 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Braves but has largely left much to be desired as an advertised offensive superstar earning over $34M per season. The 29-year-old who represented Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic began Wednesday batting just .214 on the season. To his credit, he has contributed 11 homers and 42 RBI across 61 games for a Mets side that fell to 30-31 on the campaign Tuesday night. 

"It’s a whole different clock they have got," Showalter added about those who played in the international tournament before the start of the MLB season. "...(The WBC is) good for baseball, but I think it’s got some residual too that we’ll probably look at as the season ends." 

Mets slugger Pete Alonso also took part in the WBC and ended Tuesday's action leading all of MLB with 22 home runs. Showalter noted Alonso "starts his motor about Nov. 2" and is "a guy who has got all the cylinders moving 24 hours a day," but it also can't be forgotten that Lindor was steps away from All-Star closer Edwin Diaz when Diaz suffered a right patellar tendon tear celebrating a Puerto Rico win over the Dominican Republic in the WBC this past March. 

Just last month, Lindor acknowledged he learned a "lesson" and was carefully celebrating New York victories following Diaz's setback. The four-time All-Star selection also admitted he "cried" and was "devastated" after Diaz went down. 

Playing in the WBC back in March shouldn't impact Lindor's effort during June games, but the fact remains the Mets likely aren't catching the Braves in the National League East race if he doesn't start hitting with more consistency beyond the occasional blasts. 

Third-place New York trailed first-place Atlanta by six-and-a-half games in the NL East standings heading into Wednesday's scheduled matchup between the clubs at Truist Park.