If you don’t already know, Francisco Lindor‘s name has been all over the headlines in recent days. His name wasn’t listed in the group of reported “untouchables” for this upcoming trade deadline as the Mets shift to sell mode. As a result, all the attention has been on Lindor to begin the second half. After an injury-riddled slow start to the season, he showed what he is capable of in Sunday’s win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Lindor had a monster day, starting with a two-run home run in the top of the first. He turned on a four-seam fastball and crushed it to the second deck in right field. In the following inning, he tacked on another hit with an RBI single to right field. In the top of the eighth, Lindor added his third hit of the day with a line drive double to center field. He finished 3-for-3 with three runs batted in and two walks.

“There’s no other option. I have to play to a higher standard. I have to play to the level that the organization wants me, and I have to play to the level that I expect myself to be at. I’m putting in the work and the coaching staff here is helping me a lot,” Lindor said.

It has been a difficult year for him, across the board. Since returning from the injured list on June 24, Lindor is slashing .211/.291/.437 with four home runs, seven total extra-base hits and 10 runs batted in. Hopefully, his individual performance against the Phillies is a sign he is beginning to get his timing back at the plate.

With the amount of injuries he’s had, dating back to the winter, you have to wonder how much of a factor that has played in his struggles. After the 2025 season, he had offseason surgery on his right elbow. In February of this year, he was forced to have another surgery, this time on his left hamate bone. Lindor returned in time for the start of the season, but his rhythm at the plate looked off. And just when it looked like he was finding himself in late April, he went on the injured list with a left calf strain.

Has Lindor played well this season? No, inconsistency at the plate and uncharacteristic errors in the field have been more noticeable. With that being said, the factors behind that should not be ignored. Lindor, who will turn 33 in November, is under contract through 2031. While this season has not gone well for him, his overall track record points to him as a cornerstone in the franchise. Building a championship contender around Lindor and Juan Soto makes sense on paper. The question is, do the Mets still believe that?