NEW YORK -- More than a month after he was put on the 10-day injured list because of a left calf strain, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has started baseball activities.
On Monday, he was seen doing fielding drills, running sprints and swinging the bat in the indoor batting cages. It is not known when Lindor will begin his rehab assignment.
“Now, we are in the phase where there is baseball involved,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “... We will go day by day, week by week. … It’s hard to put a timetable [on things]. He still has to check a lot of boxes.”
The calf injury occurred in the fourth inning of New York's 3-2 win over the Twins on April 22 at Citi Field. After Francisco Alvarez doubled to right-center field against Twins left-hander Connor Prielipp, Lindor struggled running around the bases, but he managed to score New York’s second run of the game. Lindor gingerly got off the ground, went into the dugout and did not return for the top of the fifth.
Lindor was replaced in the lineup that day by Brett Baty, who played third base, while Bo Bichette made the switch from third to shortstop.
Alvarez back sooner than later
Alvarez had been expected to miss six to eight weeks because of a meniscus tear in his right knee. Now Mendoza is not so sure. Alvarez may be back sooner than expected. Alvarez is already doing catching drills and hitting in the batting cage.
“This guy is unbelievable," the skipper said. “We were talking [missing] eight weeks. I’m not sure about that now. This guy feels differently. I saw him earlier and he said, ‘I feel ready to go.’ I said, ‘Pump the brakes a little bit here. It’s only [been] two weeks since surgery.' There are a lot of positives from him."
Alvarez hurt the knee on May 12 against the Tigers. Batting in the sixth inning, Alvarez twisted his leg awkwardly while fouling off a Burch Smith pitch. Following a chat with Mendoza and trainer Joe Golia, Alvarez gave way to pinch-hitter Luis Torrens.