Franciso Lindor was progressing Friday, which came after he reportedly got a cortisone shot for his lingering back issue. Before the Mets’ Friday game with the Phillies, Heidi Watney reported on the Apple TV+ pregame show that the star shortstop was experiencing pain Thursday and then received a cortisone injection.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns isn't surprised to see this group step up down the stretch with star Francisco Lindor sidelined with a back injury.

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor’s earliest return to New York’s lineup from a back injury likely is Tuesday night’s series opener at the Atlanta Braves

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor remained out of the lineup for Friday night, but there continues to be optimism surrounding his return to the lineup.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said there was "a chance" he plays this weekend vs. the Phillies, but was noncommittal on specifics.

Behind him, the Mets lineup for their series opener against the Phillies at Citi Field hung beside the clubhouse entrance. For the fourth straight game, and for the fifth time in six games, Lindor wasn’t in the lineup.

Francisco Lindor will almost assuredly miss one of the biggest series of the season. But the Mets hope their shortstop will be back for their biggest series of the season. Lindor was out of the lineup for a sixth straight game with an ailing back on Saturday.