Particle.news

Francisco Lindor's Return Turns Into Extended Slump as Defensive Errors Mount

The skid has deepened the Mets' defensive problems, prompting the club to prioritize lineup fixes, rehab returns and closer evaluation of Lindor's role.

Overview

  • Lindor began the season hampered by a fractured hamate in spring training and a strained left calf that cost him more than two months on the injured list.
  • Since returning to the lineup in late June, Lindor has struggled at the plate and on defense, recording a low batting output and multiple misplays that have drawn public attention.
  • Saturday's 6-1 loss in Philadelphia produced Lindor's third straight game with an error and continued a stretch in which he made five errors in 17 games after the IL stint.
  • The Mets have the second-highest error total in MLB this season at 69, a team-wide trend managers say stems from rushed play and lapses in fundamentals.
  • Club leaders publicly pledged confidence in Lindor while ramping up internal fixes and preparing for reinforcements as Clay Holmes builds his rehab workload and Luis Robert Jr. nears a return, and analysts note Lindor's large contract and no-trade protections make an immediate deadline deal unlikely.