Latest on Mets’ Francisco Lindor and who takes his spot at shortstop while he’s out

Mauricio was in the starting lineup at shortstop in Thursday’s win over Minnesota. He was hitless in four at-bats, including a pop out in shallow center field two batters before Bichette’s clutch blast off the wall in left-center field.

To say Mauricio is the full-time starter at shortstop with unconditional playing time would be going too far, but all signs do point toward the former top prospect getting a legitimate runway at the position while Lindor is out.

“Mauricio is going to get an opportunity here to play,” Mendoza said. “Depending on matchups, off days for some of the guys, Bo will slide over at times, but in the meantime, Mauricio is going to get the majority of opportunities here at shortstop.”

Bichette was the Mets’ backup shortstop when the Mets broke camp last month without a traditional second shortstop on their active roster behind Lindor. That’s why Bichette was used at short when Lindor was forced to exit Wednesday night’s game, leading to Brett Baty entering at third base.

Mauricio, a switch hitter, has had very little success from the right side of the plate against lefties at the big-league level. In that case, against a tough southpaw, expect Mauricio to sit. He’ll still have opportunities against lefties — this is a chance for the Mets to truly see what they have with Mauricio and give him a true runway to play — but if he does start, that’s a spot where Mendoza would be more aggressive with a pinch hitter in a big spot.

Lindor made it clear he has confidence in Mauricio, who was hitting .293 with a .987 OPS and six home runs over 15 games with Triple-A Syracuse to begin the year. Mauricio had the walk-off hit earlier this month when he was initially called up to replace Soto, a base hit to beat the Diamondbacks (the last win for New York before their long losing streak).

“He’s a good player,” Lindor said. “He’s going to help us win. He’s going to be a great competitor. He brings good energy and he’s going to play well. He played well in spring training, the day that he was here, he played well. For however many days I’m out, the team is going to be in a good spot.”

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