Francisco Lindor logs second Triple-A rehab game as Mets eye return later this week

Francisco Lindor moved one step closer to returning to the Mets by completing a second Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday. According to MLB’s team report, Lindor is still considered likely to be back with New York this week, but the plan as described does not have him suiting up immediately, with a return at least by Wednesday appearing more realistic.

In Sunday’s rehab appearance, Lindor played all nine innings at shortstop for Syracuse. His day at the plate ended with an 0-for-4 line, but he also drew a walk, stole a base, and scored a run, a production mix that suggested he was moving freely and looking to put pressure on the basepaths during live game action.

Defensively, the shortstop work was a key part of the evaluation. MLB’s report notes that Lindor had several defensive chances at shortstop, including involvement in a double play, reinforcing that the Mets were not treating the assignment purely as conditioning but also as a sharpness check for in-game reads and reactions.

The timeline matters for the Mets because Lindor is not just a starter, he is the type of middle-infield anchor who affects both halves of the game. When a team has an everyday shortstop out, the ripple typically reaches double-play structure, late-inning defensive stability, and the everyday rhythm of the infield. With the Mets’ target window now narrowing to midweek, that internal balancing act appears to be nearing its resolution.

Even with the progress, the report’s phrasing leaves room for the usual day-to-day adjustments that can come with rehab assignments. Lindor’s full nine-inning workload in the second rehab game is a positive indicator, but MLB’s account also makes clear that the Mets will not necessarily rush him into the lineup immediately, instead sequencing his return to match the conclusion of the rehab process.

For Mets fans and for the club, the next checkpoint will be whether Lindor’s transition from Triple-A action to the major league lineup is clean. The immediate watch items are availability and readiness at shortstop, as well as how quickly he can re-fit into New York’s routine at the plate after another full defensive and base-running day.

If Lindor does return later this week as expected, the Mets will gain back a centerpiece they have been building around. The shortstop’s return is likely to tighten the infield’s communication and restore the team’s settled alignment, while also giving the Mets a more consistent offensive and baserunning presence from the middle of their order.