Sports

Mets Announce More Unfortunate Francisco Lindor News Before Rockies Game

The New York Mets have had a disastrous month of April, entering Friday's series opener against the Colorado Rockies with a 9-16 record. Even with two straight wins, the hole remains deep, and the path out of it just became even more difficult.

They will now have to climb without Francisco Lindor. The 32-year-old shortstop was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a left calf strain suffered during New York's recent series against the Minnesota Twins.

Lindor sustained the injury while running the bases and was removed from the game early. Even before the setback, he had been underwhelming at the plate, posting a .226 batting average, .314 on-base percentage and .669 OPS over 24 games.

 New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) © Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) © Jim Rassol-Imagn Images © Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Still, losing a player of Lindor's caliber, and everything he has been over the past decade, is a significant blow. And on Friday, the Mets announced even more unfortunate news.

Manager Carlos Mendoza spoke with reporters before the opener against Colorado and revealed that Lindor will be in a boot for the next week and will not be reevaluated for three full weeks.

That timeline eliminates any chance of a minimum-stay return and means he cannot resume baseball activities until sometime in May. From there, he will require a ramp-up period and likely a rehab assignment.

Mendoza noted the strain is in "a tricky part" of Lindor's calf, explaining why the team is taking a cautious approach (h/t Anthony DiComo of MLB.com).

Lindor remains one of the best players of his generation, a five-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner and four-time Silver Slugger. He has been the face of the Mets since arriving ahead of the 2021 season and signing a 10-year, $341 million extension.

And now, with their franchise shortstop sidelined far longer than expected, the Mets must find a way to stabilize a season that is already threatening to slip away before May even arrives.

Related: Mets' Juan Soto Facing Backlash for Personal Decision

Copyright 2026 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.

This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 2:14 PM.

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