Carlos Mendoza provided an update on Francisco Lindor to the media today, saying the Mets shortstop can resume “impact” activities in 2-3 days after having stitches removed from his surgically repaired left hand on Tuesday.
Lindor underwent surgery on Feb. 11 to repair a stress fracture in his left hamate bone and the estimated recovery time was six weeks, putting him on track to return around Opening Day. Lindor is progressing as expected, according to Mendoza, and is still on track to meet that schedule as long as everything goes well as he resumes baseball activities. He has been present in Port St. Lucie with his teammates, but has not actively participated in spring training so far. However, that should change soon.
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What’s less clear is how long it will take for Lindor to regain his power once he starts hitting again. Baseball players are particularly susceptible to hook injuries, and in fact, several other players suffered hook injuries around the same time as Lindor this spring. Although the surgery recovery timeline is fairly standard, some players suffer lingering effects, particularly in the energy department. However, most players achieve good results. The only thing that will determine which bucket Lindor falls into is time.
Speaking of time, Lindor has missed very little since joining the Mets, despite playing uncomfortable at times. The 32-year-old also underwent debridement surgery on his right elbow following the end of the 2025 season, but there is no evidence that it hampered him at all this spring. Although Lindor should be able to take the field for the Mets on March 26 as scheduled, his hook injury has prevented him from participating in the World Baseball Classic for the Puerto Rican team, which plays its first game on March 6 against Colombia.