MLB insider shares worrisome injury update on Mets' Francisco Lindor

The 87-69 New York Mets enter Tuesday knowing they will clinch a playoff berth by earning two wins across their next three games against the 85-71 Braves in Atlanta.

It sounds like the Mets won't have injured shortstop Francisco Lindor available anytime soon after he ramped up his baseball activities on Sunday while trying to return from a lingering back injury that's kept him sidelined since Sept. 15. 

"No one watching his pregame work saw a player who looked close to major league action," MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY said about Lindor on Monday. "The Mets have not ruled out Lindor for the start of the series in Atlanta, but they are not hopeful, either. 'It would take a miracle' for the shortstop to be ready on Tuesday is how one source put it." 

The Athletic's Will Sammon mentioned how the Mets have been the best team in baseball since June, thanks mainly to Lindor's contributions on the field and behind the scenes. With that said, the Amazins went 6-1 across their final homestand of the regular season while Lindor offered the club only his moral support. Three of those victories occurred against the division-champion Philadelphia Phillies (93-64).

Following New York's 2-1 win over Philadelphia on Sunday night, Lindor said he doesn't believe he will be "pain-free" again this season. Meanwhile, the Mets began Tuesday holding a half-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the battle for the National League's second wild-card playoff spot as the Braves trailed Arizona by one-and-a-half games in the race for the third wild card. Theoretically, the Mets don't need to rush Lindor back for Tuesday's matchup. 

If, however, the Braves beat the Mets at Truist Park on Tuesday night, Lindor could try to force his way into the lineup for Wednesday's contest, considering there's no guarantee the clubs will face off on Thursday. As Dan Martin of the New York Post mentioned, the path of Hurricane Helene could make it impossible for the teams to play in Atlanta on Thursday, even if MLB wanted to change the start time for that game. 

Neither the Braves nor the Mets have another scheduled off day before the regular season concludes on Sunday. The playoffs are set to get underway Oct. 1.