Francisco Lindor is “progressing accordingly” after last month’s hand surgery, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said in an update.
The Mets hope Lindor can ramp up his rehab this week as he continues to target a return by Opening Day.
“He’s doing a lot of one-hand swings,” Mendoza said Sunday. “Hopefully in the next few days, he can start just grabbing a bat and start his progression hitting-wise, and then fielding as well. The throwing has been there. He’ll continue to do long toss, throw to bases. The conditioning is there.”
Mendoza said the switch-hitting Lindor remains day-to-day after undergoing surgery on Feb. 11 for a stress reaction in the hamate bone in his left (non-throwing) hand.
Asked if there is a cutoff date by which Lindor would need to start taking at-bats in order to play in the Mets’ March 26 opener, Mendoza said it “was still too early” to know.
“It’s hard to tell right now, especially knowing Lindor,” Mendoza said. “This is a guy that I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes in a week before we have to break and he says, ‘Hey, I’m ready to go.’”
Lindor’s injury carried an initial recovery projection of six weeks — a timeline that would have him on track to play against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field in the season opener.
A few days after the operation, Lindor expressed optimism that he would hit that goal.
“I trust the med staff,” Lindor said. “I know they have dealt with this many times. They’re really good. They’re probably one of the better in the game, so the goal is to be there.”
Lindor, 32, suspects the injury was the result of gradual wear and tear, saying, “This is something that I’ve dealt with over the years. It was come-and-go.”
He said his hand felt “a little off” after a workout in Port St. Lucie, prompting him to undergo imaging and, ultimately, surgery.
Lindor had stitches removed from his hand last week.
The All-Star shortstop batted .267 with 31 home runs, 86 RBI, an .812 OPS and 31 stolen bases last season, his fifth with the Mets.
KESSINGER UPDATE
The prognosis isn’t as promising for infielder Grae Kessinger, whom Mendoza said might need surgery for a left hamstring injury.
Kessinger is expected to miss at least eight to 12 weeks.
The 28-year-old Kessinger signed a minor-league contract with the Mets last month, providing organizational depth.
He left Friday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals with the injury after grounding into an eighth-inning force out.
A former second-round pick, Kessinger appeared in 49 games with the Houston Astros from 2023-24, batting .131 with a home run in 61 at-bats. He did not play in the majors last season.
The Mets still have plenty of versatile backup infield options, including Ronny Mauricio and Vidal Bruján.
