PORT ST. LUCIE — The final piece of the Mets puzzle got on the field Sunday, discarding much of the concern that may have lingered about his potential Opening Day readiness.
Francisco Lindor played four innings at shortstop and received three plate appearances against the Blue Jays at Clover Park, giving the All-Star shortstop his first Grapefruit League action this spring.
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Lindor has spent the past month rehabbing from left hamate bone surgery and had just progressed to batting against live pitching in recent days.
Lindor finished 1-for-3 with a single in a game that was called after five innings because of rain. The Mets won 8-1.
“I felt pretty much like myself,” Lindor said. “I finished the game healthy. It was a good day for me.”
Lindor will likely have Monday off and then resume Grapefruit League action a day later. The Mets have spring training games through next weekend, ahead of the March 26 opener against the Pirates at Citi Field.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said in the aftermath of the surgery there wasn’t a firm timetable for Lindor to begin playing exhibition games.
“But we saw he was progressing, not only defensively but offensively, with the way he was swinging the bat in the cages, transitioning to the field, getting live at-bats,” Mendoza said.
Lindor, in his final at-bat Sunday, hit a ball to right field that carried home run distance, landing foul. It was perhaps a good first sign that Lindor’s power hasn’t been compromised by the surgery.
“I don’t think it’s going to take time for the power to be there,” Lindor said. “It’s one of those where I feel fine right now, I am in a good spot. I spent the whole offseason trying to hit the ball over 100 mph, even before my wrist injury. I hit two balls over 100 today. You swing and get the right pitch, and I am sure the ball is going to go where it’s supposed to go.”
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) hits a single in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Clover Park. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Francisco Lindor has spent the past month rehabbing from left hamate bone surgery. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST He was asked if there are differences in how he feels physically, dependent on which side of the plate he is swinging.
“There’s a little bit of difference, but I feel good from both sides,” Lindor said. “There’s going to be a test throughout the rest of spring training and when I face people … I am in a good spot.”
Lindor became the second starting position player to begin exhibition games this week: Luis Robert Jr. debuted in the Grapefruit League on Thursday after the Mets slow-played his spring to ensure his legs were strengthened.
On this day, Lindor got to mesh in a game with new double-play partner Marcus Semien. Bo Bichette was at third base, with Brett Baty at first.
“It was cool to play ball with Marcus,” Lindor said. “At one point I looked to my side and I was like, ‘Wow, I have got a shortstop next to me’ … it was a cool day.”
Among the tests Lindor faced was a dive, landing on his hand, on a ball that shot through the middle.
“There was one hesitation, when I hit the ground I was like, ‘Uh, that’s different,’ ” Lindor said. “But I got up and was OK. The training staff has said to me whenever there’s a little pain, as long as it goes away, you’re in a good spot, and that is what’s happened. It did not make me timid. The rest of the game allowed me to continue to play at full speed and it gives you confidence that you can have that not in the back of your mind.”
