SAN FRANCISCO — Francisco Lindor has started to figure it out batting left-handed.
The switch-hitting Mets shortstop was a non-entity batting left-handed over the first three weeks of the season, but had a breakout of sorts over the weekend, going 5-for-9 (.555) with a homer from that side of the plate against the Dodgers.
Before that surge Lindor was 5-for-55 (.111) batting lefty.
On Monday, Lindor took a small step backward with an 0-for-3 performance (all batting left-handed) in the Mets’ 5-2 loss to the Giants at Oracle Park. Lindor reached base on a walk in the seventh inning.
In the big picture, the Mets are pleased with what they have seen from Lindor’s left-handed at-bats lately.
“He’s just not missing pitches,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I have been saying it all along: He’s a great player and eventually he was going to get going. It’s not easy to switch hit and a lot of times they feel better from one side, but now he’s getting good pitches and putting good Swings on it. I like the way he is controlling the strike zone as well.”
Sean Reid-Foley was activated from the injured list and Josh Walker recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, the latter move giving the Mets a second lefty in the bullpen with Brooks Raley on the IL.
Reid-Foley and Walker each pitched a scoreless inning Monday.
Grant Hartwig was optioned and Michael Tonkin designated for assignment to create roster space.
For Tonkin it was a second DFA by the Mets this season and his third overall (the Twins placed him on waivers before the Mets reclaimed him last week).
“It’s not easy and it’s not the fun part of this job when you have to do it twice, and a guy who has done a lot,” Mendoza said. “[Tonkin] had an outing like [Sunday] where he saved our bullpen and now needing an arm and these guys, they have a family and you have to deliver the news, but it’s a business.”
Reid-Foley was a candidate for the bullpen in spring training, but a shoulder impingement prevented him from a spot on the Opening Day roster.
Mendoza noted that Reid-Foley and Reed Garrett are also adept at handling left-handers, which can benefit the Mets with Raley sidelined by elbow swelling for at least two weeks.
Kodai Senga will throw two bullpen sessions this week before potentially moving to the next phase in his rehab, facing hitters.
The right-hander is on the 60-day IL and won’t pitch for the Mets until at least May 27.
Tylor Megill had an “up and down” bullpen session to mimic multiple innings in his rehab from a right shoulder strain.
David Peterson, who is rehabbing from surgery to repair a torn hip labrum, and is scheduled to pitch in a simulated game this week.
J.D. Martinez is scheduled to begin playing for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday and then potentially debut for the Mets this weekend.
The veteran DH went 3-for-11 in three games for Single-A St. Lucie.
