Mets’ Francisco Lindor Faces Recovery Timeline After Surgery: Will He Be Ready for Opening Day?

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor is recovering from a surgery he underwent on February 11, and the clock is ticking as he aims to return in time for the 2026 MLB season opener on March 26 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The six-week recovery period that Lindor now faces has raised some concerns, but insiders are optimistic about his chances of returning in time, especially given his history of playing through injuries.

Lindor’s Toughness and Determination

In a recent appearance on MLB Network, Joel Sherman, a prominent MLB insider, highlighted Lindor’s resilience and toughness, which may play a major role in his ability to return to the field quickly. Sherman pointed out that Lindor has played through injuries in the past, including a fractured finger, a broken toe, and a severe back issue that had him nearly immobilized. Despite these ailments, Lindor continued to perform at a high level, including delivering one of the most significant hits of the Mets’ 2021 season, helping them secure a playoff spot.

Sherman expressed confidence in Lindor’s ability to meet the six-week recovery mark, citing his history of playing through pain and his overall toughness. “I don’t know that there are many tougher guys than him in the major leagues,” Sherman remarked. The Mets also share this belief, with the organization confident that Lindor will be ready for Opening Day, assuming no setbacks in his recovery process.

Power Concerns Post-Surgery

However, while Lindor’s toughness and track record of playing through injuries are reassuring, there are some lingering concerns about how the surgery might affect his performance, particularly his power at the plate. Joel Sherman raised the point that surgeries like the one Lindor underwent can sometimes lead to a loss of power, especially early in the season as the player works through recovery. Sherman referenced Francisco Alvarez, who had a similar injury in 2025 and struggled to regain his power until the second half of the season.

The Mets are left wondering whether Lindor’s power will be impacted as he returns to form, especially in the early months of the season. “If Lindor takes a while to get into his power, can the Mets get enough of it from the rest of the lineup?” Sherman asked. This is a key question, as Lindor’s bat has been central to the Mets’ success over the past few seasons, and the team will need offensive contributions from others if Lindor’s power is slower to come back.

Carlos Mendoza’s Optimism for Lindor’s Recovery

Despite the concerns about Lindor’s power, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remains optimistic about his star shortstop’s recovery and future performance. Mendoza expressed confidence that Lindor would be able to return to his previous form, noting that similar surgeries had not always led to a loss of power for other players.

“We feel comfortable — also optimistic — that Lindor is going to be that same player as well,” Mendoza said. “It’s not going to be the first time [someone has had this surgery]. There’s cases where the power has been a topic. But there’s also been cases where guys have that type of surgery and it doesn’t affect them at all. Everyone is different, and I’m going to continue to back my guy.”

Mendoza’s support for Lindor is important as the team prepares for the upcoming season. The Mets have been focused on ensuring Lindor stays involved during his recovery, even while he cannot fully participate in baseball activities. Lindor will continue to work on throwing with his healthy hand and stay engaged with his new double-play partner Marcus Semien while he heals.

What’s Next for Lindor and the Mets?

The Mets are monitoring Lindor’s progress closely, with plans to assess their internal options in case his recovery takes longer than expected. Full baseball activities, such as swinging a bat, are still a few weeks away for Lindor, but the Mets are confident that his involvement in other aspects of the game will keep him engaged and prepared for his eventual return.

Even though Lindor’s 2025 season ended with some challenges, the Mets remain hopeful that he can return to the level of performance they expect from him. With Spring Training underway, the Mets will continue to support Lindor through his recovery and keep an eye on other potential depth options as a backup plan.

Key Takeaways:

• Francisco Lindor underwent surgery on February 11 and is expected to be out for six weeks, making it a race to see if he will be ready for Opening Day on March 26.

• Joel Sherman and Mets officials are optimistic about Lindor’s recovery due to his history of playing through injuries and his toughness.

• Lindor’s power could be affected by the surgery, with concerns that he may take time to regain his strength at the plate.

• Manager Carlos Mendoza remains confident that Lindor will return to form, citing past cases where players recovered from similar injuries without losing their power.

• The Mets will monitor Lindor’s recovery closely and make adjustments if necessary, ensuring he stays engaged in other aspects of the game during his healing process.

Stay tuned for further updates on Francisco Lindor’s recovery and his potential return to the field for the New York Mets as they gear up for the 2026 MLB season.