Francisco Lindor runs as he rounds third base before scoring, Thursday, March 26, 2026. The Mets went on to beat the Pirates, 11-7. Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Mets Legend Comes to Francisco Lindor’s Defense

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI
By Logan VanDine | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 3:01 PM ET

Francisco Lindor has not gotten off to the start he wanted for the New York Mets this season.

Lindor has gone just 3-for-21 (.143) during the Mets' first six games of the season. He has yet to drive in a run. He is also coming off a brutal series in St. Louis against the Cardinals, in particular during Wednesday's series finale in New York's crushing 2-1 loss in 11 innings.

The 32-year-old went 1-for-10 in the series. He also made two costly mental mistakes in the field and on the bases. Lindor first forgot how many outs there were in the first inning when he calmly jogged to second base on a ground ball with one out in the inning. He then started jogging towards the Mets' dugout thinking the inning was over.

This is preposterous. pic.twitter.com/EyE9rw6w4q
— MetsMuse (@MetsMuse) April 1, 2026

Lindor hurt the Mets again when he got picked off of first base in the sixth inning. A few pitches later, Juan Soto broke the scoreless tie with a solo home run. Lindor getting picked off in that inning proved to be the difference in a 2-1 extra inning loss.

Reyes on Defense

Following the tough day and series for Lindor, former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes came to the five-time All-Star's defense in an X post.

Relax everybody… my guy Francisco Lindor gonna be good. Bad days happen — that’s baseball. Could happen to anyone. He’s human just like all of us. Watch how he responds… this gonna be good for him and for the organization
— Jose Reyes (@lamelaza_7) April 2, 2026

Lindor owned up to his mental mistakes after Wednesday's loss to St. Louis, telling reporters, "I forgot the outs. I made a mistake that probably cost [Freddy] Peralta to go an extra inning because he had to throw more pitches after that."

Francisco Lindor took responsibility for forgetting how many outs there were in the first inning and for getting picked off in the sixth inning of yesterday's game

Lindor: "I made a mistake that cost [Freddy] Peralta to go an extra inning...I should've been better"

Carlos… pic.twitter.com/ucYQUFkVvz
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) April 2, 2026

Lindor has been accustomed to getting off to slow starts throughout his six seasons with the Mets. But these mental lapses are very unlike the de facto captain of the team.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza also came to his shortstop's defense, saying, "You trust the decision-making with this guy, he knows that he made a mistake."

The Mets are six games into the season and their offense has been sputtering since their 11-run outburst on Opening Day. However, they should still be pleased that they have a 3-3 record to begin the year.

Lindor will now look to put his defensive and base-running mental lapses behind him when the Mets begin a three-game series on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants.

If the Mets are going to get back to the postseason in 2026, they're going to need Lindor at his best this season.

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This article first appeared on New York Mets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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