New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor underwent surgery on February 11 and is expected to miss roughly six weeks while recovering, making his readiness for the team’s Opening Day game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26 uncertain. Despite the timeline, the Mets remain hopeful that Lindor will return in time to contribute to their season opener.
Progress and Challenges Following Lindor’s Surgery
Joel Sherman, an insider at MLB Network, provided insight into Lindor’s situation, emphasizing the player’s toughness and determination, which factor into the belief that he will be ready for the start of the 2026 season. Sherman highlighted Lindor’s history of playing through pain, referencing past injuries including a fractured finger, broken toes, and severe back problems.
“I don’t know that there are many tougher guys than him in the major leagues,”
Sherman said during an MLB Network broadcast on February 11.
“I mean, he’s played with a fractured finger, a broken toe, and a pinky toe.
He had a back so bad a couple of years ago that he could hardly stand and he kept playing and had one of the biggest hits of the season to get the Mets in the playoffs that year. He’s tough, and the Mets firmly believe he’ll hit the six-week mark… They believe he’s going to be back in that period, in part because of his toughness that’ll get on the field.”
Still, Sherman expressed some concerns about how the surgery might impact Lindor’s power at the plate during his early recovery period. Citing a comparable injury experienced by prospect Francisco Alvarez last spring training, Sherman noted that Alvarez did not show his power potential until well into the season after returning.
“The question is in some of these instances, there is some loss of power,”
Sherman said.
“For example, Francisco Alvarez had this injury last spring training. At the very beginning, when he came back, it wasn’t until the second half of the season that we really saw some power from him…
So now the question becomes, if Lindor takes a while to get into his power, can the Mets get enough of it from the rest of the lineup?”
Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza Expresses Confidence in Lindor’s Recovery
Despite the uncertainties surrounding Lindor’s recovery, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke positively about the shortstop’s chances of returning as a key contributor. Mendoza acknowledged the challenges but reiterated his faith in Lindor’s ability to bounce back following surgery, noting the varied outcomes players experience after similar procedures.
“We’ll see how that roster is going to look when we break camp, but we feel comfortable — also optimistic — that Lindor is going to be that same player as well,”
Mendoza said (h/t Anthony DiComo of MLB.com).
“It’s not going to be the first time [someone has had this surgery]. There’s cases where the power has been a topic. But there’s also been cases where guys have that type of surgery and it doesn’t affect them at all. Everyone is different, and I’m going to continue to back my guy.”
Meanwhile, the Mets are carefully monitoring Lindor’s rehabilitation progress. Though his hand will remain stitched for about 10 more days, he continues to stay active on the field by throwing with his healthy hand and practicing with his new double-play partner, Marcus Semien. Full baseball activities such as batting practice remain weeks away, but the organization is focused on keeping him engaged throughout the recovery process.
The Implications of Lindor’s Return for the Mets’ Season
Francisco Lindor’s recovery timeline will play a critical role in shaping the Mets’ early-season lineup and offensive production. His proven toughness and prior performances indicate a strong potential for returning at or near Opening Day, but the risk of diminished power could place added pressure on other players to step up. The team’s management and coaching staff will be closely evaluating internal options as they await Lindor’s full readiness, aiming to maximize the roster’s effectiveness for the season ahead. Fans and analysts alike will be watching his progress closely, understanding that his return could substantially influence the Mets’ playoff aspirations in 2026.
“I don’t know that there’s many tougher guys than him in the Major Leagues.”@Joelsherman1 shares the latest on Francisco Lindor’s injury and its impact on the Mets. #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/zAmr16SEe7
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 12, 2026
