Francisco Lindor slots in at DH amid lingering back issue, J.D. Martinez’s slump

MILWAUKEE — The Mets addressed two weaknesses in one swoop with Francisco Lindor’s move to a new “position,” at least for Saturday’s game. 

Lindor was in the lineup against the Brewers as the DH, a night after appearing unsteady at shortstop in his return from lower back tightness.

Lindor reached base three times on Friday, but also committed a throwing error.

Afterward, he said his biggest issue is bending over. 

Lindor’s move to DH allowed manager Carlos Mendoza to play Luisangel Acuña at shortstop and leave slumping J.D. Martinez on the bench.

Martinez, who began the day in an 0-for-35 nosedive, has shared the DH spot with another slumping player in Jesse Winker. 

Mendoza indicated he hopes to have Lindor resume playing shortstop on Sunday, but it’s also possible the DH experiment will last beyond one day.

Lindor said he is open to anything. 

“I think it’s going to depend on what [David] Stearns wants to do,” Lindor said, referring to the Mets president of baseball operations. “If they feel I am better off at shortstop, I will play shortstop. If they feel I am better off at DH, I will do that. I am doing whatever it takes to win. They feel like after a full game [Friday], I was going to be better off in the DH spot and we’ll see where we are at. We will address it [daily].” 

Lindor was asked how his back responded to playing nine innings Friday. 

“I responded well,” he said. “I am tired, but I thought I responded very well.” 

Acuña was a bright spot for the Mets on their last homestand, filling in at shortstop and hitting three home runs.

The rookie was relegated to the bench with Lindor’s return, but that equation could change depending on what happens with the DH spot. 

“The fact that [Lindor] is in the lineup, we have to try to keep it that way as long as possible,” Mendoza said. 

“At this time it’s not about egos, it’s about what is best for the team and that’s what makes him who he is. He is a special player and he is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win a baseball game.” 

The Mets began the day tied with Atlanta and Arizona in the NL wildcard race.

Two of the three teams will earn a berth. The top wild-card seed was clinched Friday by the Padres. 

“I think we’re in a special situation,” Lindor said. “We put ourselves in a position where we are playing for the playoffs. It could have been way worse, but right now we’re in a good spot.” 

Lindor missed eight games to rest his back before returning to the lineup on Friday.

The shortstop had been playing through back discomfort even before aggravating the situation on a baserunning play on Sept. 13.

He missed his first game of the season the following day and then attempted a return that was shut down after only 1 ½ innings. 

Lindor received an MRI exam, CT scan and bone scan, none of which showed structural damage to the back, according to the player.

Lindor also received a facet injection that he hoped would help alleviate his discomfort.