Francisco Lindor’s unhealthy again has saved him out of the Mets’ lineup for every of the crew’s final 5 video games, however the star shortstop is exhibiting some optimistic indicators of restoration. Lindor advised reporters (together with MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo) that he acquired a aspect joint injection on Thursday, which was meant to assist quell or no less than cut back the again discomfort that Lindor had been attempting to play by for many of September previous to this current shutdown interval.
“I’m attempting to do no matter it takes to return again as quickly as I can,” Lindor mentioned. “With out [the injection]…it didn’t really feel like I may get again sooner somewhat than later. With the injection, they mentioned there was a risk that may occur. I consider within the trainers. I belief them, what the enter is. And we went and obtained it completed.”
The preliminary outcomes of the injection are encouraging, as Lindor mentioned he was in a position to bend over to tie his footwear with out feeling any ache on Friday. He was additionally in a position to participate in some restricted baseball actions equivalent to a batting observe, and a wider vary of exercises are slated for in the present day. It isn’t completely out of the query that Lindor may even play in in the present day’s sport with the Phillies (in all probability as a chosen hitter with the intention to restrict any additional pressure on his again), however each Lindor and the Mets are naturally attempting to be cautious in attempting to stop any higher damage.
Lacking Lindor at this important time of the season has added much more drama to the Mets’ bid for a playoff berth, although New York has managed a 4-1 document within the MVP candidate’s absence. The 85-69 Mets maintain a two-game lead over the Braves for the final wild card spot, whereas additionally remaining not far behind the Diamondbacks (86-68) and Padres (88-66) for the next wild card place. The Mets’ destiny would possibly hinge on a essential three-game set in Atlanta starting on Tuesday, and the membership would clearly like to have Lindor obtainable for that de facto playoff collection.
One other late-season reinforcement may additionally emerge for the Mets in time for his or her final collection of the common season, after which doubtlessly into the playoffs. Kodai Senga will make a rehab begin for Triple-A Syracuse in the present day, and is about to throw a most of 35 pitches over one or two innings of labor. As each supervisor Carlos Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns advised reporters (together with the New York Submit’s Mike Puma), ought to Senga emerge in fine condition from that rehab outing, he may work as an opener in some unspecified time in the future throughout the Mets’ collection with the Brewers that begins on Friday.
“These conditions are at all times fluid,” Stearns famous, and Mendoza mentioned that Senga may doubtlessly work in additional of a standard reduction position than in working as an opener. Understanding of the bullpen would possibly higher place Senga for inclusion on a postseason roster as a result of (on paper) the Mets wouldn’t have want for an opener in a playoff sport, although additionally it is truthful to surprise if New York would even really feel snug having Senga on a playoff roster contemplating that he has barely pitched all season.
A capsule pressure and a triceps damage delayed Senga’s 2024 debut till July 26, and within the right-hander’s very first sport again, Senga suffered a extreme left calf pressure that instantly despatched him again to the 60-day injured record. September 25 is the earliest date that Senga might be activated, and pitching in the present day for Syracuse ought to line him up for a possible journey to a giant league mound on Friday in Milwaukee.
Senga was one of many tales of the 2023 season, as his first yr in Main League Baseball resulted in a seventh-place end in NL Cy Younger Award voting and a runner-up spot within the NL Rookie of the 12 months race. Anticipated to be the brand new cornerstone of the Mets’ rotation, Senga has as a substitute been a digital non-factor within the 2024 marketing campaign, although is may be very intriguing to think about what a bullpen model of Senga may deliver to New York in its playoff chase and maybe in October. If nothing else, getting again to motion would supply some consolation for Senga heading into 2025.