Lindor gets injection in back to try to speed healing

NEW YORK -- Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor received a facet joint injection in his back on Thursday, a course of treatment team trainers hope will increase his rate of recovery.

A day after receiving the shot, Lindor was feeling well enough to take batting practice swings from the right side of the plate at Citi Field, but not well enough to take additional “baby steps” toward a return.

Team officials remain hopeful Lindor can contribute before the end of this weekend’s series against the Phillies, yet that is far from a guarantee. The Mets will know more once Lindor reports to the ballpark and attempts to participate in an even more robust slate of baseball activities on Saturday.

“I’m trying to do whatever it takes to come back as soon as I can,” Lindor said. “Without [the injection] … it didn’t feel like I could get back sooner rather than later. With the injection, they said there was a possibility that can happen. I believe in the trainers. I trust them, what the input is. And we went and got it done.”

Lindor said his facet joint shot, which was delivered into the spinal area, was designed to numb his back, reduce pain and swelling and, if all goes as intended, help him improve his range of motion in an accelerated time period. Lindor indicated that if his body doesn’t respond well to the injection, it could signify a problem that his initial MRI on Monday did not uncover. But the fact that Lindor was already feeling better by Friday night, combined with an MRI that revealed no obvious structural damage, gives him continued optimism that this isn’t a long-term issue.

Friday, Lindor was encouraged that he could tie his shoelaces without pain.

“It’s moving along,” Lindor said. “I’ve never really had something like this, so I’m just playing it day by day. When I say I’m day by day, I truly am.”

Lindor spent the evening in the Mets’ dugout, cheering on his teammates with a whistle.

“I hate not having cleats,” Lindor said. “I hate not being able to be available for my teammates, and hopefully if I wake up tomorrow and say, ‘Man, I’m good to play,’ then it will be a decision between the manager and trainers and myself.”

The Mets lost their first game in Lindor’s absence on Friday, a 12-2 decision to the Phillies. Prior to that, they had won four in a row, relying on heavy contributions from Lindor’s replacement at shortstop, rookie Luisangel Acuña Jr. Jose Iglesias has also thrived as an everyday middle infielder with Lindor sidelined.

But Mets officials understand they are a far better team with Lindor -- one of the best players in the National League -- at shortstop. He is slashing .271/.342/.494 with 31 homers and 27 stolen bases in 148 games.

“He's Francisco Lindor," manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We're talking about a potential MVP. When he says he's ready to go, it doesn't matter where we're at, he's in the lineup.”