Mets Shortstop Lindor Undergoes Hand Surgery, Faces Early Season Absence

Injury sidelines star player for around six weeks, clouding team's Opening Day plans.

Feb. 12, 2026 at 5:23am

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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor underwent surgery on Wednesday to address a stress reaction in the hamate bone of his left hand. The procedure is expected to keep Lindor sidelined for approximately six weeks, casting doubt on his availability for the start of the 2024 season. This marks another injury setback for Lindor, who also had elbow surgery earlier this offseason and withdrew from the World Baseball Classic.

Why it matters

Lindor's absence will force the Mets to rely on less experienced players to fill the crucial shortstop position, potentially disrupting the team's defensive chemistry and lineup plans heading into Opening Day. The injury also raises concerns about Lindor's durability and long-term health as the Mets look to contend in the National League East.

The details

With Lindor out, the Mets are preparing their shortstop depth chart around players like Ronny Mauricio, Vidal Bruján, Grae Kessinger, and Jackson Cluff. Manager Carlos Mendoza expressed confidence in Lindor's resilience, noting the star's history of playing through injuries. The team also plans to keep Lindor involved in defensive drills and discussions with new double-play partner Marcus Semien as much as possible during his recovery.

  • Francisco Lindor underwent hand surgery on Wednesday, February 12, 2024.
  • Lindor is expected to miss approximately six weeks of recovery time.

The players

Francisco Lindor

The New York Mets' star shortstop who is sidelined for around six weeks after undergoing surgery to address a stress reaction in his left hand.

Carlos Mendoza

The manager of the New York Mets who expressed confidence in Lindor's resilience and discussed the team's shortstop depth options during Lindor's absence.

Marcus Semien

The new double-play partner for Francisco Lindor, acquired by the Mets in an offseason trade from the Texas Rangers.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not going to bet against him. This is a guy who has played through broken toes and lower back [discomfort]. Two years ago he barely walked and he continued to play through it, so we're optimistic he's going to be available for us on Opening Day.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Manager

“The guys that we have in camp are the ones who are going to get the reps early on, and then as we continue to get information we'll make some adjustments if we need to.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Manager

“But the one thing Lindor will try to do is be out there for team defense as much as possible. He will have conversations with Marcus after games, so that way we can create that type of relationship there.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Manager

What’s next

The Mets will continue to monitor Lindor's progress during his recovery and make roster adjustments as needed to prepare for the start of the 2024 season.

The takeaway

Lindor's injury is a significant early-season challenge for the Mets, who will need to rely on less experienced players to fill the crucial shortstop position while the star recovers. The team's ability to maintain defensive chemistry and offensive production without Lindor will be crucial in the early going as they aim to contend in the NL East.