Mets manager Carlos Mendoza makes big admission about when Francisco Lindor may return from injury

It was learned last week that New York Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor had stitches in his hand removed regarding the procedure he needed in February for a stress reaction to his left hamate bone.

Pockets of Mets fans understandably hoped that the update indicated that Lindor was tracking toward being available for when the club opens the regular season versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26. While speaking with reporters on Sunday, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza shared a somewhat of a reality check for anybody assuming Lindor will be in the lineup later in March.

Mets taking "wait and see" approach with Francisco Lindor

"I think we're still too early," Mendoza said about Lindor being viewed as "just day-to-day," per Garrett Stepien of SNY. "It's hard to tell right now, especially knowing Lindor. This is a guy that I wouldn't be surprised [if] he comes in a week before we have to break and, 'Hey, I'm ready to go.' So, I'm pretty sure we'll put him on the backfields, and even though he's not going to be swinging, at least tracking pitches is going to be important. So, yeah, we've just got to wait and see."

Mendoza was referencing how Lindor has a noteworthy history of playing through discomfort related to injuries. That said, at least one doctor previously suggested that it could take "10 or more" weeks before Lindor is "100 percent where he’s playing without any pain." 

Thus, the Mets may not rush Lindor back into action and instead may shift new third baseman Bo Bichette or new second baseman Marcus Semien to shortstop until Lindor is cleared to resume playing. 

Over 160 regular-season games last year, Lindor tallied a team-best 172 hits, 31 home runs, 86 RBI and an .811 OPS. As much as Mendoza will want such production in the lineup, logic suggests it will be best for everybody involved if Lindor doesn't play before he's fully recovered. 

How Francisco Lindor is progressing amid recovery

"Just the strengthening part," Mendoza added about Lindor's recovery. "Doing a lot of one-hand swings. Hopefully, in the next few days, he can start just grabbing a bat and start his progression hitting-wise, and then the fielding as well. The throwing has been there. He's continuing to do long toss, throw the bases. The conditioning is there. So, yeah, he's progressing accordingly."

In short, it sounds like Mets fans will simply have to hold their breaths and hope that Lindor continues to "progress accordingly" over the next several weeks.