Francisco Lindor’s recovery from a strained oblique has been largely incremental, but Wednesday marked an important step.
The Mets shortstop took batting practice at Citi Field for the first time in his recovery. He also ran the bases and fielded ground balls as he continued to move closer to a potential rehab assignment.
“Was it game-like? No, because it’s not a game,” Lindor said before the Mets beat the Nationals, 8-7 in the conclusion of Tuesday’s suspended game. “Felt good, that’s all I can say.”
Acting general manager Zack Scott has given Lindor a four-to-six week timetable from when he first suffered the injury, and Friday will mark exactly four weeks. Manager Luis Rojas said the Mets need to see how Lindor responded to the heavier workload Wednesday before determining his next step.
“The one thing I did hear is it’s going to be a lighter day [Thursday] and see how his body responded to all the movements that he had out there simulating some game action, in all areas,” Rojas said.
“He looked great. It was nice to see him ramping things up. The first time he’s hit on the field. He gave good feedback. It’s a good step moving forward. This was the first day we ramped things up going out on the field, simulating innings. Taking grounders and simulating relays. Simulating a steal, going home to second, all those things we put in play.”
Javier Baez, who was not in the lineup for Tuesday’s suspended game after hurting his hip and lower back Sunday in Philadelphia, entered Wednesday’s resumption in the sixth inning as a pinch hitter. He struck out on three pitches. Baez was scheduled to remain out of the lineup for the nightcap before it was postponed, though Rojas said he could have been used off the bench.
Trevor Williams is expected to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse to start Game 2 of Thursday’s doubleheader for his Mets debut. Marcus Stroman will start Game 1.
Williams, who arrived at Citi Field on Wednesday, has been at Syracuse since he was acquired from the Cubs in the Baez trade. In 12 innings over two starts, the right-hander gave up three runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out 10.
Williams, whose most recent start came last Thursday, had a 4.53 ERA in 13 games this season with the Cubs.
Carlos Carrasco had his Tuesday start ruined by the rain after one-plus innings, but is unlikely to come back on short rest for his next start. After throwing 33 pitches and giving up a three-run homer to Juan Soto, before Tuesday’s game was suspended, Carrasco threw inside to build his total pitch count up to around 80.
The righty, who was making his third start of the season since returning from a torn hamstring, said he expects to pitch Sunday against the Dodgers on normal rest.
“For me right now, I have it in mind that he’s going to pitch in his next start and not earlier than that,” Rojas said.
RHP Geoff Hartlieb was recalled from Syracuse as the 27th man.