PHILADELPHIA — Francisco Lindor’s return to action Sunday lasted all of one at-bat and one defensive inning.
Lindor is an MVP candidate who entered the day with an .834 OPS and 31 home runs. He was a catalyst during the Mets’ second-half surge to a spot in the postseason — so the threat of a lingering injury could shape the team’s playoff chances.
Lindor, who missed his first game of the season on Saturday with lower back discomfort, returned to his usual perch at first and at shortstop for the Mets’ decisive rubber game against Philadelphia. He led off the first inning with a bloop single to center Cristopher Sánchez, but he ran very carefully to first base, barely rounding the bag.
He made one defensive play in the bottom of the first before being replaced by rookie Luisangel Acuña for the bottom of the second inning.
The Mets said before the game that they would be careful with Lindor, even in such important games down the stretch.
“Health is No. 1 here,” manager Carlos Mendoza said before the game. “We don’t want him to go out and risk himself.”
Lindor played in each of the first 147 games of the season of the Mets, starting 146 of them. He left Friday night’s contest against the Phillies in the seventh inning after stepping awkwardly on second base and jamming his back.
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(Top photo of Francisco Lindor playing for the Phillies: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
