The New York Mets ' own most valuable player is on the mend.
After Francisco Lindor missed his first game of the season on Saturday with back tightness and exited after the top of the second inning one day later, the Mets shortstop received a bit of good news following an MRI on Monday.
The imaging came back clean, and Lindor is considered day-to-day. He said the recovery could be anywhere from two to five days.
"I should be back. If it turns the corner quick, then I could be back pretty soon," said Lindor, who had been dealing with a back issue before it flared up on an awkward play at second base on Friday. "If not, then it’ll be a little longer. But I should be back hopefully before the year ends. Hopefully it’s sooner rather than later."
Lindor said he received medication to deal with what he termed his back "acting up." He avoided an injection and said he will be working with the training staff to try and get back to physical activities following an off day on Monday.
"Definitely not (Monday) but we’ll see how I wake up tomorrow," Lindor said. "If the trainers allow me to move, I’m going to come in and force their hands, but I respect their decision. I respect the way they go about things. We have one of the best training staffs in the league, so I’ll listen to their input. "
Who is Francisco Lindor's backup at shortstop?
Lindor was out of the lineup on Monday night, with Jose Iglesias slated to make his first start of the season at shortstop, where he has spent the majority of his career.
On Saturday and Sunday, Lindor was replaced by Luisangel Acuña, who was making his major league debut. Carlos Mendoza said that it will be a balance between Acuña and Iglesias for who gets the nod each day at shortstop. Eddy Alvarez drew his second Mets start at second base on Monday.
"We feel really good with (Iglesias) there," Mendoza said. "Acuña is going to get playing time as well. You feel good with Alvarez at second base, Iglesias today. Just playing the matchups as much as possible. But with some of the lefties that are coming up here next in the next couple of days with the Phillies potentially, Acuna is going to get a pretty good chance here too.:
Mendoza noted that Iglesias has displayed better pre-pitch movement and rhythm to aid his range this season.
As for the expectations for the 22-year-old Acuña, Mendoza added: "I think the biggest thing is just be yourself. Don't try to do too much. It's not easy but just understanding that the game's the same. You just gotta find a way to enjoy it. What brought you here, stick to it."
How Francisco Lindor's injury affects the Mets' playoff chase
Lindor's absence in any capacity is a big one for the Mets, which entered Monday's series opener with the Nationals with an 81-68 record and tied with the Braves for the final wild card spot in the National League.
The Mets shortstop has thrust his name into the shortlist for MVP in the NL, along with the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, by slashing .271/.342/.494 with 31 home runs, 86 RBI, 103 runs and 27 stolen bases, all while playing supreme defense in the middle of the left side of the infield.
"It'll be strange, but nobody's going to feel sorry for us," Mendoza said. "That's the messaging here, talking to the players, where people are going to have to continue to step up. We've done it the whole year. The good news is he's gonna be back, but in the meantime, we can't just sit here and wait until he gets back. We gotta take care of business."
The Mets have already lost second baseman Jeff McNeil for the remainder of the regular season with a fractured wrist. In his first two major league games, Acuña is 2-for-7 with one strikeout while filling in for Lindor.
Mendoza said Lindor's presence will still be felt as he continues to voice opinions in the team's advance meetings before the game and as a vocal leader during the game.
"Nobody at this time of the year has zero pain. We all got some form of tightness or pain," Lindor said. "This one just puts me out a couple of days and it sucks. I don’t want to be in this position, but I believe in my teammates. I believe in what they can do and I’ll be the biggest cheerleader probably the next couple of days."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Francisco Lindor injury: Mets shortstop gives latest update on back tightness
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