Mets' Francisco Lindor to Undergo Hamate Bone Surgery

Injury expected to sideline star shortstop for start of 2026 MLB season

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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New York Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor will undergo surgery on his left hamate bone, an injury that often takes months for hitters to fully recover from. Lindor is expected to miss the start of the 2026 MLB season due to the procedure.

Why it matters

Lindor is a key part of the Mets' lineup and his absence could significantly impact the team's chances of contending in the NL East. The Mets already lost two star players in Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso this offseason, so Lindor's injury is another blow to their roster heading into the new season.

The details

Lindor has reportedly been dealing with the hamate bone issue for multiple years, and the decision was made for him to undergo surgery now to address the problem. Hamate bone injuries are common among baseball players and often require an extended recovery period, with players sometimes taking months to regain their full power at the plate after the procedure.

  • On February 11, 2026, the Mets announced that Lindor would undergo surgery on his left hamate bone.
  • Lindor's recovery timeline is unclear, but hitters often miss the start of the season after having the hamate bone surgery.

The players

Francisco Lindor

The Mets' star shortstop who will undergo surgery on his left hamate bone, an injury that could sideline him for the start of the 2026 MLB season.

Corbin Carroll

The Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder who was also reported to have the same hamate bone injury as Lindor and will need to undergo the same surgery.

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What they’re saying

“For those unfamiliar, the hamate bone — which could cause Corbin Carroll, Francisco Lindor and Jackson Holliday to miss Opening Day — is a small, hook-shaped bone on the palm, just underneath the pinky, that is particularly susceptible to breaking.”

— Jeff Passan, ESPN MLB Insider (ESPN)

“Hitters who undergo the surgery to fix it often talk about how their power takes months to return.”

— Jeff Passan, ESPN MLB Insider (ESPN)

What’s next

The Mets will have to determine a recovery timeline for Lindor and how they will adjust their lineup and roster to account for his absence at the start of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Hamate bone injuries are a common issue for baseball players, but they can have a significant impact on a team's season if a star player like Lindor is sidelined for an extended period. The Mets will need to navigate Lindor's recovery carefully to ensure he returns to full strength and can contribute to their playoff push later in the year.