Francisco Lindor Went 1-for-4 in Rehab Debut. The Mets Need Him Back Today.

Francisco Lindor stepped into the box for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Friday night and did exactly what the Mets hoped he would. He laced a single into right-center in his first at-bat, then scored. The rest of his night was pretty quiet — he finished 1-for-4 — but that one hit was enough to get Mets fans talking.

Lindor hasn’t played in the big leagues since April 22. The Mets have gone 34-41 without him, and they’re sitting dead last in the NL East, 13.5 games behind the Braves. They’re the only team in the division with a losing record. So yeah, they could use him.

What Lindor Said After the Game

Lindor wasn’t ready to commit to a return date. He kept it casual after the game. “I’m going to recover right now, go home, see my kids, see my wife, and then tomorrow we’ll figure out what I got next,” he told reporters, via SNY Mets. No rush. No promises. Just a guy easing his way back.

The Mets haven’t announced a timeline for when he’ll be back in Queens. But the fact that he’s already playing game action is a good sign. Usually that means a week or two, tops. But the team has been careful with him. They’re not going to push it.

New York has actually won two in a row and three of their last five. Small sample, sure, but it’s something. They’re trying to salvage a season that’s pretty much gone sideways. Getting Lindor back in the lineup doesn’t fix everything — the pitching staff has its own issues — but it gives them a real shortstop again. Not just a guy filling in.

The Bigger Picture for the Mets

This season was supposed to be different. The Mets spent big in the offseason. They brought in veteran arms and added pieces to the lineup. But injuries hit early and they never really found their footing. Lindor’s absence was a big part of that. He’s the kind of player who changes how a team operates — both in the field and at the plate.

Without him, the Mets have been forced to shuffle guys around the infield. And the offense has struggled to string together consistent at-bats. Lindor wasn’t exactly tearing the cover off the ball before he got hurt, but he brings a presence that calms the whole lineup down.

The Braves are running away with the division, so a playoff push feels like a long shot. But the Mets have to play the games anyway. And if they’re going to have any shot at making things interesting, they’ll need Lindor back sooner rather than later.

He’s not there yet. But he’s close.