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Bo Bichette Returns to Lineup Following All-Star Break
New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (ankle) is starting at third base and batting third for Thursday's series opener at Citizens Bank Park against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Aaron Nola, according to MLB.com. Bichette sat out the final series of the first half of the season last weekend and is now ready to roll to begin the second half after being bothered by ankle and leg soreness. The 28-year-old rebounded from a horrific start to the 2026 campaign in his first year in Queens, but he's still taking a disappointing .255/.300/.376 slash line with a .677 OPS, 10 home runs, 51 RBI, 48 runs scored, and a stolen base into the second half after 380 first-half at-bats. However, Bichette went 10-for-34 (.294) with five RBI to begin the month of July, and his expected batting average of .285 and xwOBA of .330 (wOBA of .297) point to positive regression in the second half. The buy-low window is firmly open for Bichette in fantasy leagues. He's walking just 6.1% of the time, but he's also striking out only 17.7% of the time.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bo Bichette Sitting Out Final Game of the First Half
New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (ankle, leg) will miss a third straight game in Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox, per MLB.com. Brett Baty will make the start at the hot corner and will bat eighth against Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle. Bichette will get some extra rest going into next week's All-Star break while dealing with ankle and leg soreness. With four more days to rest coming up next week, Bichette should be ready to roll for the start of the second half on Friday, July 17, for the series opener against the division-rival Phillies in Philadelphia. The 28-year-old got off to a brutal start to his Mets tenure in 2026, but he eventually rebounded and will finish off the first half with a .256/.301/.377 slash line, .678 OPS, 10 home runs, 51 RBI, 48 runs scored, and a stolen base across 379 at-bats. Bichette has been hot in July, too, going 10-for-33 (.303) with a double, five RBI, and four runs scored in nine games played. Fantasy managers are hoping that Bichette can pick up where he left off following the All-Star break.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bo Bichette Out With Lower-Body Soreness
New York Mets shortstop Bo Bichette (ankle) is out of the lineup for a second consecutive day with what is being described as sore legs and right-ankle soreness. It has been reported that Bichette took several foul balls off his legs, though he is also dealing with lingering ankle soreness. The 28-year-old is expected to be available off the bench but plans to use Sunday's game and the All-Star Break as a full reset. Before this recent absence from the lineup, he had played in every game for the Mets, albeit with mixed results. The news is somewhat concerning, given Bichette's extensive injury history, which includes multiple lower-body injuries that have landed him on the Injured List three times over the past two seasons. Whether the next few days are enough for him to complete his planned reset remains to be seen, making this a situation worth monitoring as the second half of the season approaches.
Source: Anthony DiComo
Source: Anthony DiComo
David Stearns to Live Out his Contract in New York
Amidst a highly disappointing 2026 season in which the New York Mets have already fired manager Carlos Mendoza, owner Steve Cohen said that president of baseball operations David Stearns will live out the remainder of his five-year contract, according to Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Stearns is currently in the middle of his third season, and the Mets are 208-202 in his tenure and headed toward a second straight season without a playoff berth. "We're two and a half years into a contract. Everyone forgets -- does he get any credit for '24? Does that not count? We almost made it to the World Series. And that was just two years ago. It's a mixed record. I'm not gonna say it's going great, but it's too early to really make evaluations. And I feel really strongly that if we're going to burn and churn, that's a terrible place to be. Every time you burn and churn, guess what, the next time, nobody wants to come. Is someone going to put their career in your hands if you're going to be short-term oriented?" Cohen said. The Mets' big offseason acquisitions -- Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, Jorge Polanco, and Luis Robert Jr. -- have all either underperformed or been injured.
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman
Francisco Lindor Will Be Active for Second Game of Doubleheader on Wednesday
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) will be activated ahead of the second game of his team's doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. Lindor has been sidelined since late April due to a left calf strain. The 32-year-old got off to a rough start to the 2026 season before the injury, hitting .226/.314/.355 with two home runs, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 105 plate appearances. However, he has an extended track record of being one of the best shortstops in baseball, recording three consecutive seasons with at least 31 home runs, 107 runs scored, 86 RBI, and 29 stolen bases between 2023 and 2025. Fantasy managers may not want to expect Lindor to display his usual aggression on the basepaths immediately following his return from the injured list. Still, Lindor profiles as a must-start shortstop across all fantasy formats once activated.
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Francisco Lindor Could be Back This Week
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) played all nine innings of his minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, and he could come off the 10-day injured list this week, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. The plan right now is for Lindor to play in a simulated game at Citi Field on Monday to give him a feel of back-to-back games. The Mets will likely want him to rest on Tuesday before considering whether to activate him to the major-league roster on Wednesday. The 32-year-old is recovering from a strained left calf, but fantasy managers should get him back later this week, barring a setback in the next couple of days. Lindor, a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger, will give the struggling Mets a big boost offensively, although he was hitting just .226 (21-for-93) with two homers, five RBI, 14 runs, and two steals in 24 games at the time of his injury earlier this year. When healthy, Lindor is a must-start in all fantasy formats for his high-end power/speed upside. Bo Bichette will move from shortstop back to third base in Queens when Lindor is ready to return. UPDATE: MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that Lindor is scheduled to play in another minor-league rehab game for Syracuse on Tuesday.
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Francisco Lindor to Start a Rehab Assignment on Friday
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) will start a minor-league rehab assignment for Double-A Binghamton on Friday, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. It lines up with a previous report that the Mets expect Lindor to return from the 10-day injured list before the end of June. The 32-year-old five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger has been sidelined since the end of April with a left-calf strain, but he's nearing his return to the major-league roster. When Lindor returns to Queens, he'll resume starting duties at shortstop, allowing the Mets to move Bichette back to third base. It will mean less frequent playing time for the left-handed-hitting Brett Baty. Before landing on the IL, Lindor was hitting just .226 (21-for-93) with two home runs, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases for the Mets in his first 24 games played. Although it wasn't a great start, Lindor still has plenty of time to turn things around in 2026, and he should be rostered everywhere.
Source: New York Post - Mike Puma
Source: New York Post - Mike Puma
Francisco Lindor Could Start a Rehab Assignment Next Week
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) started facing live pitching on June 12 in a simulated environment that also included defensive work. If additional sim games go well this week, Lindor could start a minor-league rehab assignment next week, according to MLB.com. The 32-year-old five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger winner has been out since April 23 due to a left-calf strain, but he has been progressing and is fully expected to return to the Mets' starting lineup before the end of June. If everything goes well once Lindor begins a rehab assignment, it's possible that he could be back from the 10-day injured list by next weekend. Although Lindor was hitting just .226/.314/.355 with a .669 OPS, two home runs, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 24 games before his injury, he belongs on all fantasy rosters. The Puerto Rican shortstop had at least 31 home runs in each of the last three seasons while also driving in at least 86 runs and stealing 29 bases for the Mets.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bo Bichette on a Homer Binge, Homers Two More Times on Friday
New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette stayed hot at the plate in Friday night's 7-5 win over the division-rival Atlanta Braves at Citi Field by going 2-for-3 with two home runs and a career-high six RBI to raise his season batting average to .232 and his OPS to .635. Bichette got things going right away for New York, with a leadoff bomb in the first inning, followed by a grand slam in the second frame. Bichette has now homered three times in the last two games after previously not going deep since a two-homer performance against the Washington Nationals on May 19. After an ice-cold start to his Mets tenure in 2026, Bichette has picked things up offensively and is hitting .308 (12-for-39) with three homers, two doubles, a triple, 12 RBI, and five runs scored in 10 games so far in June. The two-time All-Star is hitting only .232 (64-for-276) on the year, but he has added eight homers, 40 RBI, and 33 runs scored in his 300 plate appearances. Under the hood, Bichette ranks in the 77th percentile in hard-hit rate, but he sits in just the 52nd percentile in xwOBA.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Mets Expect Francisco Lindor to Play in Games "This Month"
President of baseball operations David Stearns said on Friday that he expects shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) to play in games for the New York Mets "this month," according to Chelsea Janes of SNY. Lindor played two simulated innings on Friday and faced a minor-league pitcher. Manager Carlos Mendoza said that Lindor will repeat that multiple times next week, which could lessen the need for a minor-league rehab assignment. However, it probably won't eliminate the need for a rehab assignment entirely. The 32-year-old five-time All-Star has been out since straining his left calf on April 22, but he could be ready to rejoin the big-league roster in time for the Mets' next homestand, which begins on June 22. Lindor's return will allow New York to shift Bo Bichette back to third base, which will make regular playing time harder to come by for Brett Baty. Lindor got off to a rough start at the plate in his 93 at-bats before injuring his calf, hitting .226 with two homers, five RBI, 14 runs, and two stolen bases, but he belongs on fantasy rosters in all leagues with his expected return to come before the calendar flips to July.
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Francisco Lindor Set to Go Through Full Baseball Activities this Week
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) is set to go through full baseball activities during his team's homestand this week, per Chelsea Janes of SNY. Lindor is working his way back from a calf strain that has sidelined him since late April. The superstar shortstop got off to a rough start to the year before getting injured, hitting .226/.314/.355 with two home runs, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 105 plate appearances. However, Lindor has been one of the most consistent five-category producers in fantasy baseball in recent seasons. Across 732 plate appearances in 2025, Lindor hit .267 with 31 home runs, 86 RBI, 117 runs scored, and 31 stolen bases. If all goes well this week, it appears Lindor could be nearing a return to the Mets lineup in mid-to-late June.
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Francisco Lindor Expected to Return in "About a Couple Weeks"
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) is expected to return to the big leagues in "about a couple weeks," per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The superstar shortstop has been on the 15-day injured list due to a calf strain since late April. Lindor was off to a slow start before suffering the injury, hitting .226/.314/.355 with two home runs, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 105 plate appearances. Still, the 32-year-old entered 2026 coming off three consecutive seasons with at least 31 home runs, 86 RBI, 107 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases. When healthy, Lindor profiles as an elite fantasy shortstop and a true five-category producer. While Heyman's timeline still leaves some room for interpretation, it appears Lindor may be on track to return to the Mets before the end of June.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Mets Could be Sellers at the Trade Deadline
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal said on Foul Territory that the New York Mets, who currently sit at 22-32 and in last place in the National League East, could be sellers at this year's trade deadline for the second time in three years. The Mets have the second-highest payroll in baseball, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers. They were swept by the division-rival Miami Marlins over the weekend and entered play on Tuesday 14 games out of first place in their division and 7.5 games out of an NL wild-card spot. The Mets still have a number of injured star players on the injured list that aren't close to a return, and young right-hander Nolan McLean has struggled so far in 2026. President of baseball operations David Stearns previously said the Mets aren't considering selling yet, but it's getting late pretty fast in Queens. If New York does decide to sell this year, right-hander Freddy Peralta will be their biggest chip. Right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) also would have been an attractive piece, but he's now on the 60-day injured list with a fractured right fibula.
Source: Fou Territory
Source: Fou Territory
Francisco Lindor Starts Baseball Activities
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said on Monday that shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) has started running and doing other baseball activities such as fielding grounders and hitting, according to Max Goodman of NJ.com. Finally, the 32-year-old Puerto Rican shortstop is making progress after already missing more than a month with a pretty serious left-calf strain. Lindor still has a ways to go before he can rejoin the major-league roster, but barring a setback once he's cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment, he should be back at some point in June to try and help the Mets climb out of the basement in the National League East. Until then, Bo Bichette will continue to handle starting shortstop duties, with Brett Baty playing third base against right-handed pitching. Lindor should remain stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy baseball leagues despite his injury and slow start to the 2026 season. Before getting hurt, the five-time All-Star was batting just .226 (21-for-93) with two long balls, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two steals in 24 games played.
Source: NJ.com - Max Goodman
Source: NJ.com - Max Goodman
Francisco Lindor has Not Started Baseball Activities
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) has yet to start baseball activities, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. Lindor has been sidelined since April 22 with a left-calf strain, and since he hasn't resumed any baseball activities, fantasy managers could potentially be without him for the rest of the first half of the 2026 season. The Mets won't have a timetable for his return until he resumes baseball activities. Although it's extremely frustrating for a Mets team that is looking at a lost season, the 32-year-old Puerto Rican infielder should remain rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues as a difference-maker in multiple categories when he's healthy. The five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger was hitting a disappointing .226 (21-for-93) with two homers, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two steals at the time of his injury, too. For the foreseeable future, Bo Bichette will continue to man the 6 in Queens in Lindor's absence, with Brett Baty seeing most of the starts at third base against right-handed pitchers.
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
