02/10/26 03:44:00
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02/10 15:42 CST New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor to visit hand
specialist
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor to visit hand specialist
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) --- New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor is being
evaluated for a stress reaction in his left hand.
Lindor experienced some soreness in the area around his left hand and wrist
over the past couple days. David Stearns, the president of baseball operations
for New York, said Lindor is going to visit a hand specialist on Wednesday to
check his hamate bone.
"It is possible this will result in hamate surgery. If it does, that's a
six-week recovery, which puts us right at opening day," Stearns said. "So at
this point, even if it does require surgery, we would remain optimistic that
Francisco would be back for opening day."
Lindor, 32, hit .267 with 31 homers, 86 RBIs and 31 steals in 160 games with
New York last year. The five-time All-Star was left off Puerto Rico's roster
for the upcoming World Baseball Classic over insurance coverage.
Stearns also announced that Juan Soto is going to shift from right to left
field. The change was finalized after discussions between the slugger and
manager Carlos Mendoza.
Soto also is going to play left for the Dominican Republic in the WBC.
"Over the last month or so, as Mendy and Juan were talking about the season,
Juan was working out in left field because he's going to play left field for
the D.R. in the WBC," Stearns said. "As they had their conversations, he felt
really comfortable there.
"It made sense for us from a roster perspective, so we're going to go forward
with it and everyone's on board with it."
New York's pitchers and catchers are scheduled to have their first spring
training workout Wednesday. The team's first full-squad workout is Monday.
Soto, 27, agreed to a record $765 million, 15-year contract with New York in
December 2024. The four-time All-Star batted .263 with 43 homers, 105 RBIs and
38 steals in his first season with the Mets.
Soto also played left field at the beginning of his career with the Washington
Nationals. Mendoza said the conversations about moving to left started in late
December.
"I just asked him, ?How would you feel to play left field for us?'" Mendoza
said Tuesday. "And he was like ?I'm willing to do whatever, you know. If you
want me to pitch, Mendy, I'll pitch.' Kind of like with that smile, right? And
then I was like, ?Now seriously speaking here, is that something you will
consider, if it makes sense for both?' He's like, 'Absolutely.'"
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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