![\"Francisco](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/francisco-lindor-mets-reds.jpg\" "\\"Mets")
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Jul 19, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) can\u2019t reach an RBI single by Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (not pictured) during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
New York Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor continues to strengthen his left hand after undergoing surgery on the left hamate bone last month and is still \u201cprogressing accordingly,\u201d manager Carlos Mendoza said on Sunday.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old is doing \u201ca lot of one-handed swings,\u201d and continues to throw without issue.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully in the next few days, he can start grabbing a bat and start his progression hitting-wise and then the fielding as well,\u201d Mendoza continued. \u201cThe throwing has been there. He\u2019s continuing to do long toss, throw the bases. The conditioning is there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Mets put an initial six-week timetable for Lindor\u2019s return on the day of his procedure, which would have put him right around Opening Day on March 26 at Citi Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates. When asked if there is a cut-off date that would indicate he would not be ready for the season had he not begun taking live at-bats, Mendoza said it was still \u201ctoo early\u201d to tell.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard to tell right now, especially knowing Lindor,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is a guy that I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if he comes in a week before we have to break and says, \u2018Hey, I\u2019m ready to go.\u2019 So I\u2019m pretty sure we\u2019ll put him on the backfields and even though he\u2019s not going to be swinging, at least tracking pitches is going to be important. So we\u2019ve just got to wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Baty begins utility undertaking
\n![\"Brett](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2026-02-17T183045Z_1620257512_MT1USATODAY28259411_RTRMADP_3_MLB-NEW-YORK-METS-WORKOUTS.jpg\" "\\"Mets")
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets infielder Brett Baty (7) works during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Brett Baty, the natural third baseman who was once deemed the future of the Mets at the hot corner, made his spring training debut on Saturday as a first baseman.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was the first step in getting Baty into a more super-utility role \u2014 once occupied by Jeff McNeil before he was traded to the Athletics during the offseason \u2014 after the Mets signed Bo Bichette on a three-year, $126 million deal and shifted him from shortstop to third base.\u00a0<\/p>\n
President of baseball operations David Stearns has made it clear that Baty will get an opportunity to aggregate at-bats while serving as a backup first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and right fielder.<\/p>\n
His first test on Saturday was passable with no mistakes.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a fun challenge out there,\u201d Baty said. \u201cNo mistakes, but it didn\u2019t look pretty either. We\u2019ll get better over there for sure.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
The Mets are hoping that Baty\u2019s offensive game will continue to bloom after posting career-bests in batting average (.254<\/a>) and home runs (18) last season. He is reliable at second and third, and has some corner-outfield experience in the minors, albeit in left field.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s very athletic,\u201d Mendoza said of Baty. \u201cI have no doubt in my mind that he\u2019s able to do it. He was able to play second base for us last year, and that wasn\u2019t an easy transition. Early on, what we\u2019ll do is keep him on the right side of the field, whether it\u2019s first base, right field, maybe second base.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n