The Mets’ big trade-deadline acquisition has hit the shelf.
Javier Baez was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with back spasms, the Mets announced shortly before opening a critical series against the Dodgers with a 6-5, 10-inning loss at Citi Field.
Since he exited Sunday’s game in Philadelphia with what was initially described as hip tightness — and later described as lower-back tightness — Baez was out of the starting lineup for each of the Mets’ three games against the Nationals this week. He did pinch hit Wednesday, striking out on three pitches, but had not seen enough improvement to get back into the lineup.
Manager Luis Rojas said Baez was going to need “four or five days, at least, to feel OK,” so the Mets finally decided to give him the time to focus on his rehab instead of trying to be an option off the bench.
“This is what he should do,” Rojas said. “Work on it, get it right so he can be a better version of him. He’s not going to be his best if he keeps pushing him[self] and tries to come back tomorrow or in two days.
“He’s just going to focus on it and not try to rush anything, [which would] probably aggravate some things.”
In 10 games with the Mets, Baez is batting .171 (6-for-35) with two home runs and 14 strikeouts.
Before the move became official, manager Luis Rojas had called Baez “day-to-day” and said he expected him to be available off the bench Friday for the fourth straight game.
The Mets called up infielder Travis Blankenhorn from Triple-A Syracuse to take Baez’s roster spot. Jonathan Villar, who started his fourth straight game at shortstop, went 0-for-5 with an RBI groundout.
Francisco Lindor (strained right oblique) inched closer to going on a rehab assignment, progressing to taking batting practice from a pitching machine Friday, in addition to running and fielding ground balls.
“I know I’m getting closer to seeing more realistic action, so looking forward to those days,” Lindor said. “I feel great. … I’m not sore. I’m tired, but it’s a good feeling.”
The switch hitter has been swinging strictly from the right side when taking batting practice on the field, but has also taken dry swings from the left side — the side he was swinging from when he suffered the injury.
The Mets have declined to put a timetable on Lindor’s potential return, though acting general manager Zack Scott said oblique strains typically take four-to-six weeks to come back from. Friday marked four weeks since the injury.
“This week was outstanding for him,” Rojas said. “He is progressing well, he’s looking strong and he is feeling more confident with some of those rotational movements that the oblique can restrain from doing, so he’s looking good.”
Luis Guillorme (hamstring strain) also took batting practice and grounders on Friday. Jose Peraza (fractured finger) joined him in the field.
RHP Trevor Williams, who made his Mets debut Thursday as the 27th man in the doubleheader, was returned to Triple-A.