Carlos Mendoza sends Francisco Lindor warning to Mets with season slipping away

Shortly after the New York Mets notched a fourth straight win this past Sunday, manager Carlos Mendoza suggested that the Mets were "starting to see some signs of who we are as a team." 

After Mendoza made those comments, the Mets suffered two straight losses at the Seattle Mariners (33-29) to fall to 26-35 on what continues to be a disappointing season for the National League East club. 

Meanwhile, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor hasn't played since he suffered a calf injury on April 22. During the latest edition of "The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman" podcast that was posted before the Mets' 8-3 loss to the Mariners on Tuesday, Mendoza spoke honestly about Lindor's expected return. 

Francisco Lindor isn't saving the 2026 Mets anytime soon

"We cannot sit here and wait for, 'Okay, when is Lindor?'" Mendoza said, as shared by NJ Advance Media. "We got to start doing it now." 

As Ethen Hutton noted for Sports Illustrated on Tuesday, there remains no known public timetable for when Lindor could return to the lineup. He is one of several key contributors currently sidelined amid an injury crisis that has impacted the Mets throughout the spring. 

That said, there continues to be no real sign that Mendoza and the healthy members of the Mets squad will guide the club on a long-term season turnaround this summer. At this point, it seems likely that whispers suggesting the Mets could soon sell big-name players to advertised contenders will only grow louder over the next few weeks. 

Carlos Mendoza seems to understand the reality of his situation

Per ESPN's Jorge Castillo, the Mets began the morning of June 13, 2025, holding the best record in baseball at 45-24. Following that, New York went 38-55 under Mendoza for the remainder of the season to miss the playoffs. As for Mendoza, he is in the final guaranteed year of his contract. 

"I understand the situation," Mendoza added during the podcast. "I know where I’m at. Especially when you’re managing a team with high expectations, big payroll, and not having the results." 

Following a Wednesday afternoon game in Seattle, the Mets will be off Thursday. Time will tell if Mendoza will still be employed when the Mets begin a three-game series at the San Diego Padres on Friday evening.