PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) \u2014 New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor is being evaluated for a stress reaction in his left hand.<\/p>\n
Lindor experienced some soreness in the area around his left hand and wrist over the past couple days. David Stearns, the president of baseball operations for New York, said Lindor is going to visit a hand specialist on Wednesday to check his hamate bone.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is possible this will result in hamate surgery. If it does, that\u2019s a six-week recovery, which puts us right at opening day,\u201d Stearns said. \u201cSo at this point, even if it does require surgery, we would remain optimistic that Francisco would be back for opening day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lindor, 32, hit .267 with 31 homers, 86 RBIs and 31 steals in 160 games with New York last year. The five-time All-Star was left off Puerto Rico\u2019s roster<\/a> for the upcoming World Baseball Classic over insurance coverage.<\/p>\n Stearns also announced that Juan Soto is going to shift from right to left field. The change was finalized after discussions between the slugger and manager Carlos Mendoza.<\/p>\n Soto also is going to play left for the Dominican Republic in the WBC.<\/p>\n \u201cOver the last month or so, as Mendy and Juan were talking about the season, Juan was working out in left field because he\u2019s going to play left field for the D.R. in the WBC,\u201d Stearns said. \u201cAs they had their conversations, he felt really comfortable there.<\/p>\n \u201cIt made sense for us from a roster perspective, so we\u2019re going to go forward with it and everyone\u2019s on board with it.\u201d<\/p>\n New York\u2019s pitchers and catchers are scheduled to have their first spring training workout Wednesday. The team\u2019s first full-squad workout is Monday.<\/p>\n