New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has addressed the decision by team owner Steve Cohen to play the 2026 Major League Baseball season without a team captain.
The Mets are entering their third season under manager Carlos Mendoza and allowed slugger Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz to sign with another team as free agents.
The National League East side also traded away two homegrown players, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, in the offseason.
During this week’s reporters’ meeting for spring training, Cohen defended the decision, describing the Mets clubhouse as unique and saying that he prefers to let it sort itself out each year.
Lindor vows to contribute to Mets’ campaign
In an interview with MLB.com, Lindor said he respects Cohen’s decision, calling it a front-office type of solution that won’t affect him as he continues to contribute to the Mets when fit and healthy.
“This isn’t something that will make me different,” the Puerto Rican baseball star said.
“I’m glad he put everything to bed, so that way we can stop talking about this and move on.”
Lindor added that he understands Cohen and will back up the owner’s decision.
He pledged to focus on baseball, improve on his end and help guide the team to more victories and hopefully the postseason.
In 160 games last term, the shortstop had an MLB-high 762 plate appearances while hitting .267 with 31 homers, 86 RBIs and 31 stolen bases.
He was left off Puerto Rico’s roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic over insurance coverage.
The 32-year-old is currently rehabbing after undergoing surgery on February 11 to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand.
This could affect his availability for the season-opening series against the Pittsburgh Pirates beginning on March 26.
The procedure followed an evaluation by a hand specialist after Lindor experienced soreness in the area around his hand and wrist.
In 2025, the Mets finished second in the NL East standings behind the Philadelphia Phillies, going 83-79.
They opened with a 45-24 mark only to falter down the stretch and missed the wild card on a tiebreaker with the Cincinnati Reds.
The Mets had a team captain set-up in previous MLB campaigns, including the likes of Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, John Franco and David Wright, whose playing career ended in 2018.
The team opens its spring training on Saturday against the Miami Marlins.
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