PHILADELPHIA — Francisco Lindor’s countdown to rejoining the Mets is underway.
The shortstop will begin a minor league rehab assignment Friday for Double-A Binghamton, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, and could return to the Mets lineup by early next week.
Mendoza indicated the plan is for Lindor to play two games in the minors (Triple-A Syracuse could be a stop if weather affects Binghamton) and then decide if he is ready or needs additional time. Lindor would play Friday, rest Saturday and then play Sunday before a determination is reached.
Lindor, who has been on the injured list since April 23 with a left calf strain, has spent the last week playing simulated games.
“This is a guy who knows himself better than anybody, and he’s going to let us know whether he needs more at-bats or basically how he’s feeling, and we’ll go from there,” Mendoza said before the Mets beat the Phillies 6-4.
Among the possibilities is that Lindor will receive occasional starts at DH upon his return.
“I am pretty sure that is going to be a discussion, knowing him, a guy that wants to be in the lineup every day,” Mendoza said. “He will take that as an off day as opposed to being completely out of the lineup, but I am pretty sure there’s also going to be days where we are going to have to be firm and keep his name out of the starting lineup.”
Lindor’s return will shift Bo Bichette back to third base and Brett Baty into the utility role in which he began the season.
Tyrone Taylor will also begin a rehab assignment for Binghamton, but Mendoza said the outfielder’s stay will be longer because he hasn’t built up volume in his at-bats compared to Lindor, who has been playing simulated games.
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Taylor is rehabbing a right hip flexor strain that has kept him sidelined since May 26.
This series won’t resume until Saturday night because of Friday’s World Cup match between Brazil and Haiti scheduled for Lincoln Financial Field — which is across the street from Citizens Bank Park.
“It’s weird,” Mendoza said of the off day within a series. “But then you understand: You have got the World Cup right next door and you will have 80,000 people there.”
Mendoza said he’s hoping to attend the match.
“I am trying,” he said. “It’s not an easy ticket.”
