PHILADELPHIA — Francisco Lindor’s return to the Mets lineup didn’t last long.
The shortstop left Sunday’s game against the Phillies prior to the bottom of the second inning after missing Saturday’s loss with a sore back.
Carlos Mendoza waited until after the shortstop went through his pregame routine before making the decision to play Lindor, who missed his first game of the season after tweaking his back while stepping awkwardly on second base in Friday’s win at Citizens Bank Park.
But after Lindor jogged to first on a leadoff bloop single and making a high throw to first on a grounder by Trea Turner in the bottom of the inning, he was replaced by Luisangel Acuna to start the bottom of the second.
Acuna, a top prospect acquired from the Rangers last year in exchange for Max Scherzer, was called up to make his MLB debut on Saturday and had a pair of singles.
Prior to the game, Mendoza said Lindor’s health was more important than getting him back on the field, despite the Mets needing every win they can get with only 14 games remaining in the regular season and the team opening Sunday in a tie with Atlanta for the final wild-card spot in the National League.
Starling Marte wasn’t in the lineup Sunday after getting drilled by a pitch on the left forearm on Saturday. Mendoza said X-rays were negative after Saturday’s game. Tyrone Taylor got the start in right field.
