New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor landed on the 10-day injured list Saturday after suffering an oblique strain against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Lindor left Friday’s game in the fifth inning after injuring his right side on a swing. Tests determined he strained his right oblique, forcing the team to place him on the IL. In a corresponding move, per Tim Healey, New York promoted infielder Travis Blankenhorn.
It’s the latest turn in a 2021 season that has been riddled by injuries. The Mets have welcomed back Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Davis in recent weeks. Unfortunately, just as the lineup started coming back together, it suffers another blow.
Lindor stats: .228/.326/.376, 702 OPS, 11 home runs, 1.8 fWAR
Following a cold stretch across his first two months in New York, Lindor started turning things around as of late. Since June 1, the All-Star shortstop had a .264/.361/.465 slash line with 25 RBI and a .827 OPS across 144 at-bats.
With Lindor sidelined, reigning Home Run Derby champion Pete Alonso will slide into the No. 2 spot in the Mets lineup. The vacancy at shortstop will be filled on Saturday by Luis Guillorme, but infielder Jonathan Villar is expected to see time at the position.
While a timetable for Francisco Lindor’s return wasn’t provided, oblique strains typically take 4-8 weeks to heal. Already in the market for a big bat at the MLB trade deadline, New York will also explore its options at shortstop.
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