Mets’ Francisco Lindor feels ‘good enough’ after first game back from injury, expects to play rest of regular season

If there’s one silver lining in the Mets’ deflating 8-4 loss to the Brewers on Friday night was how Francisco Lindor looked.

The Mets shortstop was in the lineup after missing the previous eight games with a balky back and he got through it without any issues, at least any visible. He went 2-for-4 with a walk at the plate, played the entire game on the field and ran the bases.

Overall, a good sign for the Mets and Lindor.

“I thought he managed it well,” Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza said after the game. “I thought he was good.”

“Good enough. Felt good enough,” Lindor said when asked how he felt after his first game in almost two weeks. “Pain comes and goes. I’m happy with that.”

Lindor said anything that required him to “bend over” was tough for him. But he was satisfied that he made a dive and it didn’t hurt. He was also pleased with his at-bats went.

The Mets have two more games in Milwaukee before a potential doubleheader in Atlanta on Monday to close out the regular season. After Friday’s games, the Mets, the Diamondbacks and the Braves are in a virtual tie for two of the wild card spots.

Every game matters and Lindor is prepared to play in all of them.

“With how everything went tonight, yes [I’m comfortable playing]. We’ll see how I bounce back tomorrow but yea,” Lindor said. Thank god everything went well. My body was responding the way I wanted it to respond. This time of year, nobody is paying with no pain. It’s part of the game.”

Unfortunately, Lindor’s return to the lineup didn’t mean a win for the Mets. The NL Central champions were simply better on this day.

Friday’s starter Sean Manaea allowed six runs (five earned) over 3.2 innings after being dominant for eight straight starts. The Mets were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base. And Lindor’s error in the field allowed a run to score in the second inning.

But Lindor and this Mets team have bounced back all season and look to do so again on Saturday.

“They outplayed us today,” Lindor said. “They ran the bases better than we did. They hit better than we did, hit with people in scoring position. Overall, I know the Brewers played better than us today. Tip my cap to them and come back tomorrow and try to beat them.”