NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets welcomed back Juan Soto to their starting lineup on Thursday, while also receiving encouraging updates about Francisco Lindor’s recovery from a left calf strain.
Soto had left Wednesday night’s 3-2 extra-inning victory against the Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning, after fouling a pitch off his right foot four innings earlier. Medical imaging showed no fractures, and Soto was inserted into Thursday’s lineup as the designated hitter for the series finale with Detroit.
Manager Carlos Mendoza reported that Lindor, who sustained his injury on April 22 while running home on a Francisco Alvarez double, received an MRI on Wednesday revealing “signs of healing,” although the All-Star shortstop remains far from returning to action.
According to Mendoza, Lindor has been authorized to increase his weight room activities before starting a running regimen.
“Positive sign,” Mendoza stated. “We’ve just got to let it heal.”
Mendoza indicated no specific timeline exists for Lindor to resume baseball-related activities. The shortstop has been absent for the team’s previous 18 contests — exceeding his total missed games from the past four seasons combined by four games.
Francisco Alvarez, who tore his right knee meniscus while fouling off a pitch during Tuesday’s 10-2 victory over Detroit, had surgery Thursday morning. The team anticipates Alvarez will be sidelined for as long as eight weeks, according to Mendoza.
The Mets currently have 12 players on their injured list, including Alvarez and Lindor, along with pitchers Reed Garrett (Tommy John surgery), Justin Hagenman (fractured rib), Tylor Megill (sprained right elbow), Dedniel Núñez (Tommy John surgery) and Kodai Senga (lumbar spine inflammation); left-handed pitcher A.J. Minter (left lat surgery); position players Ronny Mauricio (broken left thumb), Jorge Polanco (bruised right wrist) and Jared Young (torn left meniscus); and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (lumbar spine disk herniation).
Soto previously sat out 15 games last month due to a right calf strain.
