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New York Mets’ preparations for the 2026 MLB season have been jolted by a major setback, as five-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor is set to undergo wrist surgery just as spring training gets underway.
Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Lindor will have a procedure on Wednesday — the same day the Mets hold their first official spring workout — casting immediate uncertainty over the team’s early-season outlook.
The 32-year-old cornerstone is entering the fifth season of his 10-year, $341 million contract, making his health central to the franchise’s championship ambitions.
Lingering wrist issue comes to a head
According to an ESPN.com summary of Stearns’ announcement, Lindor was “evaluated for a stress reaction in his left hamate bone.” The issue, described as lingering soreness over the past “couple of years,” has now escalated to the point where surgery is necessary.
Stearns stopped short of labeling the injury a fracture, referring to it only as a “stress reaction.” Still, the need for surgery suggests a significant concern for a player whose offensive production and defensive leadership anchor New York Mets’ infield.
The hamate, defined as a “triangular-shaped bone” located on the outside of the wrist just below the pinky finger bone, is not commonly injured.
Physiopedia notes that fractures of the hamate “are rare and underreported, and consist of approximately 2 percent of fractures from the carpal bones.” The site further explains, “These injuries are usually misdiagnosed or confused with simple wrist sprains. Delayed diagnosis is not uncommon.”
Timeline and opening day outlook
With surgery scheduled, Lindor is expected to miss approximately six weeks, per Stearns’ statement. That timeline places his availability for Opening Day on March 26 at Citi Field in doubt, when New York Mets are slated to face the Pittsburgh Pirates.
However, there remains cautious optimism within the organization. As quoted by SNY, Stearns said that even if surgery is required, he “would remain optimistic that Francisco would be back for Opening Day.”
For a Mets squad aiming to build early momentum, Lindor’s recovery will be closely monitored. His return — whether on time or delayed — could shape the trajectory of New York’s season from the very first pitch.
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