Mets remain in holding pattern with ailing Lindor, Robert, Polanco

NEW YORK -- A.J. Ewing’s presence on Tuesday added one potentially premium bat to the Mets’ lineup. Which is important, because three missing veterans could remain out for some time.

Here’s the latest on Francisco Lindor, Luis Robert Jr. and Jorge Polanco.

Lindor
Injury: Left calf strain

Lindor is due for a follow-up MRI either Wednesday or Thursday on his calf, which he strained during an April 22 game against the Twins. That was always the plan for Lindor. Until doctors review the results of that test, the Mets won’t be able to predict his return with any level of accuracy.

The good news is that Lindor is “doing better,” according to manager Carlos Mendoza. He’s no longer in a walking boot, suggesting some level of healing. And he isn’t dealing with any sort of Achilles issue on top of the calf strain, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns.

The bad news is a concrete timeline still doesn’t exist. At the time of Lindor’s injury, a late May return felt like a best-case scenario, with June also realistic. So far, that hasn’t changed.

“We’ll see,” Mendoza said. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself here.”

Robert
Injury: Lumbar spine disc herniation

The news was more ominous on Robert, who hasn’t played since complaining of back discomfort following an April 26 game against the Rockies. Robert continues to experience lower-back pain, keeping him in a holding pattern with no clear end in sight.

“Luis is not progressing the way we would like [him] to,” Mendoza said.

According to Stearns, the Mets are consulting with outside medical specialists on Robert’s case. There is no evidence that the outfielder will need surgery, but “obviously,” Mendoza said, “it’s going to take some time.”

Polanco
Injury: Left Achilles bursitis

Polanco is actually dealing with two ailments, though the right wrist soreness that plagued him during his absence has mostly resolved. The issue is his left Achilles, which has not improved enough for Polanco to begin playing in rehab games.

“We have really good days, and then it flares up,” Stearns said. “But we do need to get asymptomatic so that we know he can go out there, play on a daily basis, run the bases freely.”

Polanco continues to take part in baseball activities, because the medical experts the Mets have consulted have not recommended a complete shutdown. But until Polanco’s symptoms subside, he -- like Robert -- will remain in a holding pattern. And Polanco’s symptoms have been present since the end of March.