Injuries & Moves: Lindor (back) misses 7th straight game
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Sept. 22: SS Francisco Lindor (back tightness) sits out seventh straight game
As expected, Lindor was out of the Mets' lineup for a seventh consecutive game Sunday and remains day to day after receiving a facet joint injection in his back. He is targeting Tuesday in Atlanta as his best-case return date, but Lindor went through only an abbreviated batting practice session on Sunday before heading back into the clubhouse with a trainer. It's unclear what, if anything, that portends for his status.
Following a clean MRI on his lower back on Sept. 16, Lindor estimated he would return in two to five days. When it became clear that wouldn't happen, team trainers recommended the facet joint injection, which Lindor received on Thursday.
The National League MVP candidate originally tweaked his back on Sept. 13 in a win over the Phillies. He attempted to play two days later but lasted only one inning before departing. Lindor hasn't played since, with Jose Iglesias and Luisangel Acuña splitting shortstop duties in his absence.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Paul Blackburn (spinal fluid leak in mid-back)
Expected return: October
Blackburn was scheduled to rejoin the Mets' rotation on Sept. 9 in Toronto, but he felt something in his lower back after his rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse on Sept. 3. That something turned out to be a spinal fluid leak, which prompted the Mets to shut Blackburn down on Sept. 14. He restarted a throwing program four days later, but with the regular season dwindling, Blackburn is unlikely to return before the end of it. Instead, he hopes to contribute as a reliever in the playoffs should the Mets advance.
Blackburn initially landed on the IL after taking a 100.3 mph line drive off his right hand on Aug. 23 against the Padres. Tylor Megill has pitched well in his rotation spot, prompting Blackburn to say he'd be happy coming out of the bullpen once he's healthy. (Last updated: Sept. 21)
RHP Christian Scott (right elbow UCL sprain)
Expected return: 2026
Scott's promising rookie season came to a premature end in late September, when he made plans to undergo a hybrid elbow surgery that combines a Tommy John ligament replacement with the insertion of an internal brace. Scott is likely to miss the entire 2025 season and be ready for Opening Day 2026. At that point, he will be closing in on his 27th birthday with nine career big league starts on his resume. The Mets are hopeful he can still be a significant part of their future, but that is now far down the road. (Last updated: Sept. 18)
RHP Dedniel Núñez (strained right flexor tendon)
Expected return: 2025
The Mets shut Núñez down for the season after he received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right flexor tendon, which has bothered him to varying extends since July. Initially, Núñez missed a month due to a similar injury. He returned for a single outing on Aug. 24 before landing back on the IL.
Following a second opinion, Núñez received his PRP shot on Sept. 13 in hopes of avoiding surgery. The Mets don't know yet if the conservative treatment plan will work, but their hope is Núñez will be back at full strength by Opening Day 2025. He was one of New York's best relievers when healthy, with a 2.31 ERA over 25 appearances. (Last updated: Sept. 13)
2B/OF Jeff McNeil (fractured right wrist)
Expected return: Mid-October
McNeil was hit on the right wrist by a 74.3 mph curveball on Sept. 6, staying in the game for an inning before being pinch-hit for by Harrison Bader in his next at-bat. After the wrist swelled up, McNeil underwent MRI imaging on Sept. 7, which showed a small fracture. He was placed on the injured list on Sept. 8 (retroactive to Sept. 7), and is slated to miss the rest of the regular season.
No surgery is required for McNeil; the plan is to let the wrist heal, with an eye toward returning if the Mets make a deep postseason run. (Last updated: Sept. 8)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Kodai Senga (high-grade left calf strain)
Expected return: Possibly October
Senga won't return during the regular season after he felt right triceps tightness during a Sept. 21 rehab outing for Triple-A Syracuse. He aims to continue throwing, however, in the hopes of being available at some point in October should the Mets advance to the postseason.
Senga injured his leg in the sixth inning of the Mets' 8-4 victory over the Braves on July 26, went on the IL one day later and was shifted to the 60-day IL a day after that. He has spent all but about 24 hours of this season on the IL. Even if he's able to pitch in the playoffs, it would likely be in an abbreviated role. (Last updated: Sept. 22)
RHP Sean Reid-Foley (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: Possibly late September
The Mets removed Reid-Foley from his rehab assignment in mid-August to give him time to strengthen his shoulder, which has affected him to varying extents since March. He resumed throwing in early September, but he isn't close to a return and is a long shot to pitch again this season. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on Sept. 5. (Last updated: Sept. 18)
INF Ronny Mauricio (recovery from right knee surgery)
Expected return: 2025
The Mets announced on Aug. 2 that the 23-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove scar tissue in his right knee earlier in the week.
“Obviously not the news that you want,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “That’s part of the rehab process. It’s just a little bump in the road.”
Mauricio underwent a separate surgery in early January to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, which he injured during winter ball in the Dominican Republic. There had been hope he could return before the end of the regular season, but his second operation removed any possibility of that.
Mauricio slashed .248/.296/.347 with six extra-base hits, nine RBIs and seven stolen bases over a 26-game stint with the big league club in 2023. (Last updated: Aug. 2)
RHP Drew Smith (right elbow sprain)
Expected return: 2025
Smith underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career on July 12, after doctors found significant ligament damage in his right elbow. The operation, which involved both a ligament reconstruction and the addition of a stabilizing internal brace, ended Smith's season.
The right-hander can be a free agent in November and could miss all of next season, depending on how quickly he progresses in his rehab. A typical timeline for Tommy John recoveries is 12-18 months. (Last updated: July 13)
LHP Brooks Raley (left UCL strain)
Expected return: 2025
Raley, a heavily used reliever who was having trouble recovering between outings in mid-April, had Tommy John surgery on May 29. The procedure, which Dr. Keith Meister performed in Arlington, ended his season and possibly his Mets tenure.
Because of a clause in Raley's contract, he is eligible to become a free agent in November despite having fewer than six years of service time. As such, he may have already thrown his final pitch with the Mets. (Last updated: June 30)