Mets' Lindor Misses First Game of Season, Alonso Still Chasing 162-Game Feat

Francisco Lindor's sore lower back forced him to sit out his first game of the 2024 season, ending his bid to play all 162 games for the New York Mets. While Lindor's streak came to an end, teammate Pete Alonso still has a chance to achieve the rare feat of appearing in every game for the Mets this year.

Mets' Superstar Lindor Sidelined, Rookie Acuna Shines in Debut

Lindor's Injury Ends Bid for 162-Game Season

The Mets' star shortstop Francisco Lindor was forced to miss his first game of the 2024 season on September 14th, as he sat out the team's 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies due to a sore lower back. Lindor had been hoping to become just the second player in Mets history to appear in all 162 regular-season games, but his injury put an end to that pursuit.Lindor said his goal is to be available every day, but acknowledged that playing every game was never his primary objective. "That has never been my goal," Lindor stated. "My goal is to be available every single day. Hopefully I can play the next 14 games that we have left."The only Mets player to ever appear in all 162 games in a season was Felix Millan back in 1975. John Olerud came close in 1999, playing in 162 of the team's 163 games that year due to a one-game playoff.

Rookie Acuna Impresses in MLB Debut

With Lindor sidelined, the Mets called up 22-year-old infielder/outfielder Luisangel Acuna from Triple-A Syracuse to make his major league debut. Acuna made the most of his opportunity, going 2-for-4 with a pair of singles in the loss to the Phillies.Lindor praised Acuna's composure and approach at the plate, noting that the young prospect had the same even-keeled demeanor he displayed in spring training. "He looks very relaxed," Lindor said. "He was even-keeled today. He looked fantastic today and knew when to take, when not to take, when to be aggressive."Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was also impressed with Acuna's debut, saying the team wanted to exercise caution with their star player Lindor and not risk further injury. "He wants to play," Mendoza said of Lindor. "But at the same time he knows I don't want to put him in a situation where he is overcompensating and that leads to something else. I thought it was best that he at least rests the first few innings of the game and then we'll see what happens."

Alonso Still Chasing 162-Game Season

While Lindor's bid for a full 162-game season came to an end, teammate Pete Alonso still has a chance to achieve the rare feat. Alonso has appeared in every game for the Mets so far this year, and the team will be hoping he can maintain that durability and availability over the final two weeks of the regular season.Only a handful of players in Mets history have managed to play in all 162 games in a single season. Accomplishing that milestone would be a remarkable achievement for Alonso, further cementing his status as one of the game's elite power hitters and most durable stars.As the Mets push towards the playoffs, the focus will be on Alonso's quest to play in every game, while also ensuring Lindor's back injury doesn't linger or worsen. The team will need both of their superstars healthy and in the lineup if they hope to make a deep postseason run.