Francisco Lindor to Undergo Hamate Surgery, Mets Remain Optimistic for Opening Day Return
The New York Mets are facing an early test of their depth before pitchers and catchers even report. Star shortstop Francisco Lindor is undergoing surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone in his hand-a procedure that’s becoming an unfortunate trend this offseason-but the team remains hopeful he’ll be ready for Opening Day.
Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the surgery and maintained that the Mets are optimistic about Lindor’s timeline. It’s a bold stance, especially considering how tricky hamate injuries can be, particularly for hitters who rely on quick hands and bat speed-two of Lindor’s calling cards.
He’s not the only one dealing with this issue. Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks and Jackson Holliday of the Orioles are also headed for hamate surgeries.
Holliday has already been ruled out for the start of the season, and Carroll’s status remains uncertain. That puts Lindor’s situation in a different light.
Even if he returns in time for Opening Day, history suggests it may take longer for him to truly feel like himself again.
What Exactly Is the Hamate?
For those unfamiliar, the hamate is a small, hook-shaped bone located on the palm side of the wrist, just below the pinky. It’s a spot that takes a beating in baseball, especially for hitters. When it breaks, it often requires surgery, and while the recovery time to return to game action can be relatively short, regaining full strength-particularly in terms of power-can take months.
That’s the concern here. Lindor doesn’t need to be a 30-home-run guy to be valuable, but any dip in power affects more than just the long ball.
Doubles into the gap can turn into singles. Balls that used to jump off the bat might now die in the outfield grass.
And for a player who already tends to start slow in April, this could be yet another hurdle to clear.
Mets Have Options, But None Are Ideal
To their credit, the Mets aren’t hitting the panic button. President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and Mendoza know this isn’t a season-ending injury, and the roster has some built-in flexibility to weather the storm-at least in the short term.
Bo Bichette, who was expected to slide over to third base, could shift back to shortstop if Lindor isn’t ready. That move would also open up more playing time for Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, two young infielders still trying to carve out consistent roles. Ronny Mauricio is another name to watch-his versatility gives the Mets options, though he’s still developing at the plate.
Still, let’s be clear: none of these scenarios replace Lindor’s presence on both sides of the ball. He’s the anchor of the Mets’ infield, a Gold Glove-caliber defender and a switch-hitter with pop. Losing him, even temporarily, reshuffles the lineup and the defensive alignment in ways that could ripple into April and beyond.
A Familiar Pain for Lindor
This isn’t Lindor’s first brush with hamate trouble. He’s dealt with discomfort in the area before, but this is the first time it’s required surgery. That history might help him manage the recovery process, but it also underscores how delicate this injury can be.
And while the Mets are right to stay optimistic, there’s a fine line between hope and realism. Even if Lindor is back on the field by Opening Day, it may take several weeks-or longer-for his swing to fully come back. That’s not a knock on his toughness or work ethic; it’s just the nature of the injury.
So yes, the Mets are equipped to handle this in the short term. But make no mistake: they’ll need Lindor at full strength to compete over the long haul. His glove, his leadership, and yes, his bat-all of it matters.
For now, the calendar is the Mets’ biggest opponent. Opening Day is a ticking clock, and Lindor’s recovery just became one of the most important storylines of the spring.