Spring Training Game Chat: Francisco Lindor Returns, 1:10 P.M.

Sunday, March 15, 2026 • 1:10 PM
Clover Park • Port St. Lucie, FL
RHP Grant Rogers (0-1, 3.60) vs. LHP Zach Thornton (1-0, 0.00)
WPIX

Spring started off with some uncertainty for the New York Mets. Francisco Lindor had a fractured hamate bone and was debating surgery. He was the first of three high profile players to be diagnosed with the same injury along with Corbin Carroll and Jackson Holliday announcing their injuries the day after Lindor.

Lindor quickly got the surgery the same week and the Mets remained consistently optimistic that he would be ready for Opening Day. Today he takes a significant step forward, playing in his first spring training game of the season.

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Marcus Semien – 2B
3. Bo Bichette – 3B
4. Jorge Polanco – DH
5. Luis Robert Jr. – CF
6. Brett Baty – 1B
7. Francisco Alvarez – C
8. Mike Tauchman – RF
9. Tyrone Taylor – LF

Starting Pitcher: Zach Thornton

Blue Jays Lineup

1. George Springer – DH
2. Daulton Varsho – CF
3. Davis Schneider – 2B
4. Addison Barger – 3B
5. Jesús Sánchez – RF
6. Nathan Lukes – LF
7. Leo Jiménez – SS
8. Brandon Valenzuela – C
9. Charles McAdoo – 1B

Starting Pitcher: Zach Thornton

Games Notes

The New York Mets made several roster cuts prior to Sunday’s game:

• Pitchers: RHP Carl Edwards Jr., LHP Joe Jacques, RHP Ryan Lambert
• Catcher: Kevin Parada
• Infielders: Ryan Clifford, Jackson Cluff, Grae Kessinger, Jacob Reimer
• Outfielders: Jihwan Bae, A.J. Ewing, Jose Ramos

Three Things To Watch For

1. Francisco Lindor. During live batting practice this week Lindor ripped a ground-rule double. All eyes will be on Lindor. How does he look in the field? Does he have his power? How is his timing? Most importantly, how does Lindor feel after the game? Lindor has been tremendous since arriving to Queens. In his last four seasons he has posted 24.3 bWAR and has hit 30-plus home runs in three consecutive seasons.
2. Zach Thornton. Thornton got his first spring training start earlier last week where he allowed no runs over two innings, scattering two hits and a walk while striking out three batters. He’s coming off of injury shortened season that was turning heads. Over 72 2/3 innings between the High-A and Double-A levels, he had a 1.98 ERA and 0.812 WHIP. Last week, he picked up right where he left off in 2025, and hopefully that continues Sunday.
3. Jorge Polanco. We’ll have to wait at least a day to see Lindor throwing balls across the infield to Polanco as the Mets first basement gets a day of designated-hitting duties. Polanco has been tremendous at the plate for the Mets this spring going 5-for-14 with two home runs, three walks and three runs scored (.500 OBP, 1.286 OPS).

The post Spring Training Game Chat: Francisco Lindor Returns, 1:10 P.M. appeared first on Metsmerized Online.