Francisco Lindor wanted to start Saturday, even after being awake most of the night as his wife gave birth to the couple’s second child.
But Mets manager Buck Showalter said that wasn’t a good idea.
So the Mets, for the first time since June 2, 2022, won’t have Lindor in their opening lineup when they host the Cardinals in the second game of a three-game set at Citi Field.
Luis Guillorme will start at shortstop while Daniel Vogelbach will serve as the designated hitter — the spot where Lindor has played in the one game he wasn’t at shortstop this year.
“I don’t think he’s particularly happy about not playing today,” Showalter said. “He was willing to come in and give it a shot.”
Showalter said he doesn’t expect Lindor to end up on the paternity list, but that could change.
The manager added he texted and spoke with Lindor, learning that “everybody seems to be doing well.”
Lindor’s wife, Katia, posted a picture of Amapola Chloé on Instagram to welcome their second daughter.
Kalina Zoé turned 2 in November.
Lindor has been a constant in the Mets’ lineup this season for all 69 games, but the shortstop, in the second year of a 10-year, $341 million extension signed in 2021, has struggled.
His average dipped to .211 after going 0-for-3 with an RBI and two strikeouts Friday night, and he said earlier this month that “it’s just one of those [things] that you’ve got to work [your way out of].”
He has just one multi-hit game since May 26 and just 11 the entire season
Lindor’s strikeout rate (nearly one per game, at 68) is on pace to shatter his numbers from past years.
“When you’re in his position, you’re gonna be constantly critiqued,” Showalter said Saturday. “… He wants to play. He wants to set an example every day.
“He wants to be there for his teammates.”