**Francisco Lindor Out of Mets Lineup Due to Broken Pinkie Toe**

Los Angeles – Francisco Lindor, the esteemed shortstop for the New York Mets, found himself missing from the starting lineup on Thursday. This decision followed the revelation from X-rays that he had sustained a broken pinkie toe on his right foot. Lindor suffered the injury when a pitch from Tony Gonsolin struck him in the foot at the start of the game the previous night.

Despite the evident discomfort, Lindor showcased remarkable determination by playing through all nine innings. Describing the injury as a "pain tolerance issue," the 31-year-old star explained that he would be assessed on a daily basis to determine his readiness to return. "It hurts," Lindor admitted, adding that wearing shoes exacerbates the pain.

Lindor remains optimistic about his potential involvement in upcoming games, hinting at the possibility of stepping up for a pinch-hitting role if circumstances demand it. "The way I see it is if I am good enough to hit and run, I should be good enough to play shortstop," he commented. However, he emphasized his trust in the team's trainers and their judgment regarding the best course of action for his recovery.

This season, Lindor has been an essential contributor to the Mets, boasting an impressive slash line of .279/.353/.490 in 283 plate appearances. He has also tallied 14 home runs, 36 RBIs, 10 doubles, 11 steals, and 42 runs over the span of 61 games. His absence presents a notable challenge for the Mets, who will keenly await his return to bolster their lineup.