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New York, NY – A bill collective groan echoed through the Mets faithful today as news confirmed that superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor is battling a fractured pinky toe on his right foot, an agonizing blow suffered after being struck by an 89 mph slider from Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin during Wednesday’s game. The four-time All-Star, known for his relentless energy and defensive prowess, is now facing a daily test of pain tolerance, with his immediate future hanging in the balance.
Lindor, ever the competitor, attempted to play through the discomfort on Wednesday night, even after collapsing to the ground in agony following the impact. It wasn’t until after the game, upon removing his sock, that the extent of the bruising became apparent, leading to X-rays that confirmed the break. “It hurts,” Lindor admitted the next morning, candidly explaining that “With shoes, it hurts a little bit more [than] barefoot. I woke up, I was like, ‘OK, I don’t feel bad.’ As soon as I put on my shoes, it was not good.”
Despite the clear anguish, the Mets have received “relatively good news,” according to manager Carlos Mendoza. The fracture is not on the joint, making it a matter of managing the pain rather than requiring immediate surgical intervention. This assessment has allowed Lindor to avoid the injured list for now, a small victory for a team already grappling with its share of recent struggles.
However, the decision to play through the pain carries inherent risks. Lindor was out of the lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Dodgers, with Luisangel Acuña filling in at shortstop. Lindor himself, demonstrating his unwavering commitment, lobbied Mendoza to let him continue playing. While Mendoza held firm, Lindor’s desire to be on the field is palpable. “It’s just a matter of tolerating the pain,” Lindor stated, “So hopefully, I’m strong enough to play sooner rather than later.” He’s reportedly walking with a limp and expressed that he is indeed dealing with “a lot” of pain.
This isn’t Lindor’s first encounter with a painful, awkward injury. Three years ago, he famously broke a finger in a hotel door during a series against these very Dodgers, an injury he admits still occasionally bothers him. The Mets will now carefully monitor their offensive and defensive linchpin as he navigates this latest setback. His ability to return to the lineup, and more importantly, perform at his elite level, will hinge entirely on his body’s capacity to endure the significant discomfort of a broken toe in a sport that demands constant, explosive movement.
The Mets, who recently lost to the Dodgers in a gut-wrenching fashion and saw another “dumb mistake” at the plate in Thursday’s game, desperately need Lindor’s steady presence. His current batting average of .279 with 14 homers and 36 RBIs underscores his immense value. As the Mets prepare for their next series, all eyes will be on Lindor, hoping his pain subsides enough for him to once again grace the diamond and lead his team.
