Mets Explain Francisco Lindor's Latest Defensive Lapse

Team cites unfamiliarity with new double-play partner as factor in shortstop's mental mistake.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:57pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting the chaotic energy and movement of a baseball infield play, with sharp geometric planes in vibrant colors like cobalt blue, crimson red, and golden yellow, conceptually representing the mental demands of the shortstop position.Lindor's mental lapses expose the complex choreography and split-second decisions required of elite middle infielders.Queens Today

The New York Mets have provided an explanation for the latest defensive miscue by star shortstop Francisco Lindor. After Lindor failed to cover second base on a potential double play during a recent loss to the Oakland A's, Mets officials told reporters that Lindor's unfamiliarity with new second baseman Marcus Semien may have contributed to the mistake. The team believes Lindor's 'muscle memory' from playing with different infielders in recent seasons led him to try to cut off the ball rather than get to the bag.

Why it matters

Lindor's defensive lapses have come under increased scrutiny as the Mets have struggled to a 7-11 start, including a seven-game losing streak. The team is hoping to get Lindor, one of their biggest offseason acquisitions, back on track both mentally and physically after he missed time in spring training due to a hand injury.

The details

In the second inning of the Mets' loss to the A's, Semien fielded a grounder and had a chance to turn a double play, but Lindor failed to cover second base. Instead of getting the second out, Semien was only able to record the force at second. After the game, Lindor took responsibility for the mistake, saying 'I should expect he's gonna be there' at second base. The Mets believe Lindor's unfamiliarity with Semien, his new double-play partner, may have contributed to the lapse, as Lindor was accustomed to playing with different infielders in recent seasons who were positioned differently.

  • On April 1, Lindor made another mental mistake against the Cardinals, forgetting how many outs there were on an easy double-play ball.
  • Later in that April 1 game against the Cardinals, Lindor was picked off first base while focused on adjusting his sliding glove.

The players

Francisco Lindor

The Mets' star shortstop, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade during the offseason. Lindor has struggled with mental mistakes early in the 2026 season.

Marcus Semien

The Mets' new second baseman, who is working to develop chemistry with Lindor in the middle infield.

Joel Sherman

A reporter for the New York Post who discussed the Mets' explanation for Lindor's latest defensive lapse.

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What they’re saying

“'I was talking to Mets people and they were like, 'look, it's a bad play. But understand, for the last few years, we had him pulled all the way up the middle because Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso were on the right side and those guys were really pushed toward the right field line. [Second baseman Marcus] Semien could actually get to balls up the middle. I think [Lindor's] muscle memory was that nobody's going to get this ball, I got to go cut it off before it gets to the outfield. And so he didn't break to second base.'”

— Joel Sherman, New York Post reporter

“'No miscommunication. He's one of the best second basemen in the game, and I should expect he's gonna be there. There was no miscommunication at all.'”

— Francisco Lindor

What’s next

The Mets will look for Lindor and Semien to continue building their chemistry in the middle infield as the team tries to turn around its slow start to the season.

The takeaway

Lindor's mental mistakes have been a concerning trend for the Mets early in the season, but the team believes the shortstop's unfamiliarity with his new double-play partner Semien may have contributed to his latest lapse. As Lindor and Semien work to develop their on-field rapport, the Mets will hope to see fewer of these types of mental errors from their star player.