Promising NY Mets injury updates provide hope even if it can complicate things

This could end up as a New York Mets season defined by injuries even if a lack of production is as much to blame for the uphill battle they have in front of them. The latest injury update, or lack thereof, provides us with a little more information as to what lies ahead.

Francisco Lindor is expected to be back sometime in June with no commitment to any exact date or a rehab assignment beginning. The devastating Clay Holmes injury has been downgraded from never seeing him again to an August return.

Meanwhile, Luis Robert Jr. has made no progress and Jorge Polanco is practically the guy from the board game Operation. Fans aren’t so quick to welcome either of these two back, A.J. Ewing now in center field doing more than Robert did and the Mets with Mark Vientos hitting well at first base while leaving the DH spot available for whomever can snatch it or could benefit from a half-day at work.

The return of Francisco Lindor lurking and Clay Holmes returning before the year is through shines some hope on what felt like a lost season

Lindor will need to hit the ground running upon his return rather than get off to one of his typical slow starts he grinds through in March/April at the start of every year. Holmes is much more complicated. However, going from reliever to starter and pitching as effectively as he did in 2025 and continued to in 2026, having him available for the final weeks would be like acquiring a player at the trade deadline. Groan!

Okay, so the situation isn’t quite like that. But it does complicate every situation the Mets are in. David Stearns needs to decide one way or another if the Mets are buying or selling at the trade deadline. They cannot get criss-crossed into going the wrong way or sitting flat on their heels doing nothing at all. It’s the decision that can total or rebuild his reputation.

The Lindor return is the surest sign of whether or not the Mets can be capable of competing. Holmes’ situation is more complicated as the Mets will need to convince others he’s a viable trade candidate.

Not all injuries are built the same nor are the players who are burdened with them. Last year’s trade deadline does include an example of an injured player swapping uniforms. Shane Bieber, with only 2 starts in 2024 and none in 2025, went from the Cleveland Guardians to the Toronto Blue Jays. The return wasn’t unimpressive. Khal Stephen ranks as Cleveland’s number five prospect.

A positive prognosis right now for Holmes tells us they can get something for him at the trade deadline or possibly could view him as a helpful hand after as long as they haven’t sold off all of the pieces. Then there’s the ridiculous possibility of selling like the Detroit Tigers did in 2024 and still making a run afterward.

Getting these key bodies back will aid the Mets a lot in their upcoming decisions. Lindor hitting like an MVP candidate, Holmes pitching like one of the best in the NL, and maybe even some drips of Robert or Polanco at some point performing like the players the Mets intended them to be can completely turn the season around.

None of the injured Mets players have been written off from returning. Lindor coming off the IL may most determine what the team does about Holmes. We’ve seen it before, Lindor can carry a team.

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