MILWAUKEE — The Mets addressed two weaknesses in a single swoop with Francisco Lindor’s transfer to a brand new “place,” at the least for Saturday’s recreation.
Lindor was within the lineup in opposition to the Brewers because the DH, an evening after showing unsteady at shortstop in his return from decrease again tightness.
Lindor reached base 3 times on Friday, but in addition dedicated a throwing error.
Afterward, he mentioned his greatest situation is bending over.
Lindor’s transfer to DH allowed supervisor Carlos Mendoza to play Luisangel Acuña at shortstop and depart slumping J.D. Martinez on the bench.
Martinez, who started the day in an 0-for-35 nosedive, has shared the DH spot with one other slumping participant in Jesse Winker.
Mendoza indicated he hopes to have Lindor resume taking part in shortstop on Sunday, nevertheless it’s additionally attainable the DH experiment will final past someday.
Lindor mentioned he’s open to something.
“I feel it’s going to rely on what [David] Stearns needs to do,” Lindor mentioned, referring to the Mets president of baseball operations. “In the event that they really feel I’m higher off at shortstop, I’ll play shortstop. In the event that they really feel I’m higher off at DH, I’ll do this. I’m doing no matter it takes to win. They really feel like after a full recreation [Friday], I used to be going to be higher off within the DH spot and we’ll see the place we’re at. We’ll handle it [daily].”
Lindor was requested how his again responded to taking part in 9 innings Friday.
“I responded effectively,” he mentioned. “I’m drained, however I believed I responded very effectively.”
Acuña was a vivid spot for the Mets on their final homestand, filling in at shortstop and hitting three residence runs.
The rookie was relegated to the bench with Lindor’s return, however that equation may change relying on what occurs with the DH spot.
“The truth that [Lindor] is within the lineup, we now have to attempt to preserve it that means so long as attainable,” Mendoza mentioned.
“Presently it’s not about egos, it’s about what’s finest for the group and that’s what makes him who he’s. He’s a particular participant and he’s keen to do no matter it takes to assist the group win a baseball recreation.”
The Mets started the day tied with Atlanta and Arizona within the NL wildcard race.
Two of the three groups will earn a berth. The highest wild-card seed was clinched Friday by the Padres.
“I feel we’re in a particular state of affairs,” Lindor mentioned. “We put ourselves ready the place we’re taking part in for the playoffs. It may have been means worse, however proper now we’re in a great spot.”
Lindor missed eight video games to relaxation his again earlier than returning to the lineup on Friday.
The shortstop had been taking part in by means of again discomfort even earlier than aggravating the state of affairs on a baserunning play on Sept. 13.
He missed his first recreation of the season the next day after which tried a return that was shut down after just one ½ innings.
Lindor acquired an MRI examination, CT scan and bone scan, none of which confirmed structural injury to the again, in keeping with the participant.
Lindor additionally acquired a aspect injection that he hoped would assist alleviate his discomfort.
