NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Lindor rejoined the New York Mets Wednesday night — just as Juan Soto deals with a back injury that may sideline him beyond a discouraging doubleheader sweep for the Mets, who fell to the Chicago Cubs 10-3 and 10-5.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday morning he couldn’t rule out a trip to the injured list for Soto, who exited a 9-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs after the fourth inning Tuesday night because of a tight back and did not play Wednesday
Mendoza said Soto, who was shown on SNY wearing a wrap around his back in the dugout Tuesday, was “getting checked out” before Wednesday’s doubleheader, though he said following the opener that Soto hadn't undergone imaging yet.
Mendoza said Wednesday morning he hoped Soto could be available at some point in the day but acknowledged a level of concern for the superstar outfielder, who is in the second season of a 15-year, $765 million deal.
“We’ve got to wait,” Mendoza said. “Obviously not ideal when a player like him comes out of a game. Those guys are tough and they know how important they are, and they take pride on being in the lineup everyday and posting.
“I just didn’t like how he looked yesterday. We’ve got to wait.”
Soto’s injury may delay his reunion with Lindor, who was activated prior to Wednesday’s nightcap, when he went 0 for 5 with an error. The 32-year-old shortstop has been sidelined since suffering a strained left calf while running the bases against the Minnesota Twins on April 22 — the same day Soto returned from an 18-day stint on shelf due to a strained right calf.
Lindor played in his third rehab game Tuesday, when he was 2 for 5 while scoring twice for Triple-A Syracuse. He made the four-hour trip back to New York following the game, which factored into the Mets’ decision to hold off on activating him.
“My job is to play shortstop as best as I can and to be the best version of myself to help the guys and just feed off each other,” Lindor said.
Mendoza said the Mets will proceed cautiously with Lindor following the longest injured stint of his 12-year career. Lindor, who missed just 15 games the previous four years, will likely sit out Thursday’s game and will also see more time than usual at designated hitter.
Lindor and Soto have played just nine games together this season for the last-place Mets, who haven’t recovered from the 12-game losing streak they endured during Soto’s absence. New York, which hasn’t finished in last place since 2003, is nine games behind in the race for the final National League playoff spot.
“I’m just worried about Soto,” Mendoza said. “I’m not thinking about Lindor back, Soto out. It is what it is, right? Hopefully we can get those two in the lineup for a long time here for the rest of the season and we can make a run at it.”
Mendoza also announced beleaguered starter Kodai Senga has been shifted to the bullpen. Senga gave up seven runs over 3 2/3 innings Tuesday as his ERA rose to 10.08. He hasn’t earned a win since June 12, 2025, when he suffered a hamstring injury covering first base against the Washington Nationals.
Senga, a noted creature of habit, has made just one relief appearance for the Mets. He threw the final 1 2/3 innings of Game 6 of the 2024 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“We’re going to adjust his routine, he’s going to have to adjust his routine,” Mendoza said.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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