Things have been going well for the New York Mets lately, but now they are holding their breath.

With the Mets leading 7-0, National League MVP candidate Francisco Lindor left the field in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies due to lower back pain.

The shortstop went 2-for-4 on the night with an RBI double. Lindor was identified after coming off second base in the sixth inning, but appeared to be OK physically.

However, Lindor was taken out of the game one inning later and now we are all waiting for more details from Mets manager Carlos Mendoza after tonight’s game.

Since the severity of Lindor’s back pain is currently unknown, there is hope that his early exit was merely a precautionary measure.

Lindor has played in all 147 games for the Mets this season, a common trend for the 30-year-old, who missed just three games in total between 2022 and 2023.

The Mets can’t afford to lose their best player in the home stretch while battling for a wild card spot. Lindor is a major reason they have the best record in baseball since late May, hitting .270/.341/.493 with an .834 OPS, 31 home runs and 86 total RBIs.

The Mets, who currently lead the Phillies 11-0, will likely end the evening with an 81-66 record. They will look to secure a postseason berth, as they entered the night with a one-game lead over NL East rival Atlanta Braves for the third and final wild card position.

Update:

After the game, Mendoza said reporter that he is not too worried about Lindor, who is struggling with a slight backache. According to Mendoza, had the game not been 7-0, Lindor would have fought to stay.

“It’s day by day. I’m pretty sure he’ll tell me to put him in the lineup tonight. We’ll see,” Mendoza said.