MIAMI — The timing couldn’t have been higher for Francisco Lindor and the Mets.
The shortstop and his spouse, Katia, welcomed their third little one Sunday, a boy named Koa. All weekend in Houston, the Mets and Lindor have been on alert, however Katia had but to ship by the point the crew arrived in Miami late Saturday night time, permitting Lindor time to get to the household’s Orlando-area residence.
Lindor landed, received in a automotive residence, and Sunday afternoon with the Mets having fun with a scheduled off day, Koa was born.
Nevertheless, very like two years when their second daughter, Amapola, was born, Lindor declined to go on the paternity checklist. The Mets anticipate to have him off the bench Monday night time after they open their first NL East sequence of the season towards the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park.
A lot for convincing Lindor to take just a few days off. Earlier than spring coaching, Mendoza got here to Lindor about attempting to map out a plan for enjoying time. Lindor countered together with his personal plan, which mainly is simply enjoying on daily basis he’s wholesome.
“It’s nothing new to us,” Mendoza stated. “This is a guy that wants to be here, wants to show up and wants to perform, and wants to help the team. Even when his wife is having a new baby, he’s still thinking about the team. That’s who he is. He’s a leader, a special person, special guy, special player.”
Starling Marte took Lindor’s spot on the prime of the order. The Mets selected to have the right-handed DH begin towards Cal Quantrill due to the right-hander’s splits towards left-handed hitters. Luisangel Acuña made his first begin of the season at shortstop and batting eighth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Proper-hander Paul Blackburn (sore proper knee) performed catch Monday in Miami. He got here off the sector with no noticeable limp and appeared nice. He’s eligible to be reinstated from the 14-day injured checklist April 10.
Proper-hander Dedniel Nuñez (elbow) pitched in Triple-A Syracuse, throwing one inning plus a fourth batter for 2 ups. The plan is to offer him three days off, then have him stand up and down twice once more in his subsequent outing, then get two days off with two ups. He allowed one earned run on hit and struck out two towards Worcester.
