Francisco Lindor is back.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza “anticipates” the five-time All-Star will be in the lineup in the second leg of the doubleheader against the Cubs on Wednesday.
Lindor has been out of action for two months with a left calf strain, which he suffered while running the bases against the Minnesota Twins in late April.
“He’s been missed, obviously,” Mendoza said Wednesday. “So, we need him.”
Lindor’s rehab began with Double-A Binghamton in June before advancing to Triple-A Syracuse, where he played back-to-back full games at shortstop.
On Tuesday, he went 2-for-5 in eight innings.
Mendoza said Lindor’s full return will have to wait as the Mets will ease him into the team, letting him take multiple off days before he gets back to being an everyday starter.
Lindor averaged 30 homers, 27 stolen bases and 6.0 wins above replacement from 2022-25 and finished second in National League MVP voting in 2024 behind only Shohei Ohtani.
Prior to the injury, he had two home runs, two steals and a .669 OPS in 24 games.
The Mets manager said Lindor’s return brings back more than just on-field talent, though, citing the connection he has with his teammates as something that was missed.
