Category: MLB

Francisco Lindor to Miss a Few Days After Back Discomfort

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The New York Mets received a bit of relief as their star shortstop Francisco Lindor got positive news following an MRI on his lower back. Lindor, who left Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies due to discomfort, is expected to miss a few days but should return before the regular season ends.

Though Lindor will be sidelined for the immediate future, he remains hopeful for a quick recovery. The shortstop shared that he could be back in as little as two or three days, depending on how his back responds. At worst, Lindor anticipates being out for up to five days.

“I was praying on my way to the MRI that it would show something manageable day to day,” Lindor said before the Mets’ series against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field. “And the Good Lord answered my prayers.”

Initial Signs of Discomfort

Lindor’s back issues first flared up during Saturday’s game in Philadelphia, where he sat out entirely. He attempted to return on Sunday but left the game in the second inning after feeling discomfort while running to first base. Despite taking some swings and feeling confident during pre-game, Lindor knew something was off when he ran out of the batter’s box in the first inning.

“When I hit the ball and took a couple steps out of the box, it didn’t feel the way I wanted it to feel,” Lindor explained. “I didn’t feel comfortable to continue to push it.”

Key Player for Mets’ Postseason Hopes

Lindor has been crucial in the Mets’ playoff push, boasting a .834 OPS and 31 home runs this season. With the Mets eyeing a postseason spot, a lingering injury could pose a significant challenge to their ambitions. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza stressed the importance of being cautious with Lindor’s health as the playoffs draw near.

“Health is the No. 1 priority here,” Mendoza said. “We don’t want him to go out there and put himself at risk.”

Lindor, who had played every game until Saturday, admitted it’s difficult for him to sit out, especially as someone who prides himself on being available for his teammates. However, both Lindor and the Mets understand the need to be careful to ensure his availability when it counts most.

The team will closely monitor Lindor’s progress over the next few days as they work to get him back on the field in time to help lead their playoff push.

Mets’ Postseason Hopes in Jeopardy as Lindor Exits with Back Injury

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The New York Mets’ playoff chances have taken a hit as star shortstop Francisco Lindor left Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies due to back discomfort. Lindor will undergo an MRI on Monday to assess the severity of the injury.

Lindor’s Exit Raisesf Concerns

This marks the second time over the weekend that Lindor left a game early, having exited Friday’s matchup in the seventh inning. He missed Saturday’s game altogether but returned Sunday, only to feel discomfort after his leadoff single in the first inning.

Lindor has been a pivotal player for the Mets this season, batting .271 with 31 home runs. His potential absence comes at a critical moment as the Mets are tied with the Atlanta Braves for the final Wild Card spot in the National League, with the Arizona Diamondbacks holding a two-game lead.

With the regular season winding down, Lindor’s health could be a major factor in the Mets’ postseason hopes.

Gerrit Cole’s Intentional Walk of Rafael Devers Backfires in Yankees’ 7-1 Loss to Red Sox

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In a surprising and uncharacteristic move during Saturday’s game, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole intentionally walked Rafael Devers with one out and no one on base in the fourth inning. What followed was a disastrous turn of events that saw Cole surrender five hits and seven earned runs in a 7-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

The Decision to Walk Devers

Gerrit Cole, known for never backing down from a challenge, had been cruising through the first three innings without allowing a hit. However, with Rafael Devers coming to the plate, Cole made the unusual choice to intentionally walk the Red Sox slugger, even though there were no runners on base.

This decision stemmed from the history between the two players. Devers has been a thorn in Cole’s side throughout their matchups, boasting a .340 batting average and eight home runs against the Yankees’ ace. In the first inning, Cole had already hit Devers with a 0-1 cutter, which led Red Sox manager Alex Cora to take issue with the Yankees pitcher.

“We had discussed the days prior to and during the game strategically walking him because of the past success that he’s had,” Cole explained after the game. “Clearly that was a mistake. I think I bought into the plan going into it, but afterwards it was the wrong move.”

Immediate Fallout

The plan to avoid Devers backfired almost instantly. The intentional walk set the stage for the Red Sox offense to capitalize. Cole, who was in control until that point, saw the wheels come off, giving up five hits and allowing seven runs—all earned—before being pulled from the game.

Even Rafael Devers expressed some surprise at Cole’s decision, saying, “I never expect that from him. He’s a Hall of Famer, and we know the type of pitcher he is. At the same time, it gave us the opportunity to score some runs, and that’s what we did.”

The Red Sox, riding the momentum, went on to dominate the game, leaving the Yankees to regroup after what could be described as a strategic misstep. Now, with the series on the line, the teams prepare for the final game of the four-game set on Sunday, featuring Carlos Rodon for the Yankees and Kutter Crawford for the Red Sox.

Mets Call Up Top Prospect Luisangel Acuña with Postseason in Sight

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In a strategic move aimed at strengthening their postseason push, the New York Mets have called up their promising top prospect, Luisangel Acuña, from Triple-A Syracuse with just 15 games remaining in the regular season. This decision, first reported by Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extrabase, marks a pivotal moment for the Mets as they work to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Acuña, a 22-year-old infielder/outfielder, had previously been overlooked for promotion twice this month. He was not included in the roster expansion on September 1st and was also passed over when second baseman Jeff McNeil was sidelined with a season-ending wrist fracture on September 7th. The Mets’ latest move signals their commitment to enhancing their lineup as they approach the final stretch of the season.

The decision to bring Acuña up now appears to be a calculated one, driven in part by the recent injury concerns surrounding shortstop Francisco Lindor. Lindor left Friday night’s game against the Phillies, which the Mets won 11-3, with back soreness. Although Lindor has played in all 147 games this season, the Mets are hopeful he will be able to return to the lineup soon. Acuña’s call-up provides the Mets with additional flexibility, whether Lindor’s absence extends or not.

Acuña, who was acquired from the Texas Rangers in the trade that sent ace Max Scherzer to Texas at the 2023 MLB trade deadline, is the younger brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. His arrival is highly anticipated as he brings a dynamic skill set to the team. In 131 games with Syracuse this season, Acuña posted a .258 batting average with a .299 on-base percentage and a .355 slugging percentage, along with 40 stolen bases.

The Mets’ decision to promote Acuña is also influenced by their current position in the standings. They hold a narrow one-game lead over the Atlanta Braves for the third and final National League Wild Card spot. Acuña’s speed and versatility are expected to be valuable assets as the Mets aim to solidify their playoff berth.

Manager Carlos Mendoza is likely to utilize Acuña’s ability to play both infield and outfield positions, providing the team with added depth and options as they navigate the crucial final weeks of the season. The Mets’ focus is firmly on maintaining their playoff position, and Acuña’s contribution could be instrumental in achieving their postseason goals.