Francisco Lindor watches end of Mets loss from on-deck circle

ATLANTA — Francisco Lindor stood in the on-deck circle preparing to pinch hit in the ninth inning Tuesday night, but the game ended before he could get that chance.But it was the most positive sign in 1 ½ weeks that Lindor is ready to return, even in perhaps a limited capacity for the Mets.“Let’s see how he feels [Wednesday] and he could be in play,” manager Carlos Mendoza said after the 5-1 loss to the Braves at Truist Park.Lindor spent part of Monday’s off day receiving a bone scan he says reaffirmed there isn’t structural damage to his lower back.But that doesn’t change the fact the Mets shortstop is still sore.He’s uncomfortable enough that he was absent from the starting lineup for a seventh straight game, as the Mets began their penultimate series of the regular season.Lindor wore a wrap around his midsection before the game and tested the back in pregame drills.

Lindor’s time on the field was short — he sprinted from first to third base — before he departed through the dugout tunnel.Lindor reemerged and took batting practice from both sides of the plate.

Lindor took swings during the game in the indoor batting cage, according to Mendoza, and discussions were soon underway on where he might be plugged into the lineup as a pinch-hitter.It was decided he would hit for Tyrone Taylor in the ninth, but Raisel Iglesias retired Mark Vientos for the third out with Lindor on deck.“The last couple of innings I was going through a couple of scenarios with him,” Mendoza said.

“He was good enough to play today.”Before the game, Lindor had indicated he was hopeful he would be a bench player if needed.“I’m trending in the right direction,” he said.Last week Lindor received an MRI exam and CT scan that he says were both clean.But neither the player nor team has provided a diagnosis of the ailment.

Lindor last week received a facet injection in his back with the hope it would alleviate the pain, but while Lindor says there has been prog...