Francisco Lindor hasnt played a full game in a little more than a week and nothing he said or did on Sunday at Citi Field when the Mets open another crucial series on Tuesday, this time on the road in Atlanta with a wild card spot on the line.  With his back still not right, Lindor has run, thrown and taken ground balls, as well as hit on the field  but he has yet to run the bases and likely still needs to face live pitching before he rejoins the lineup.  The shortstop added he was optimistic he would play again this season, but acknowledged that even if he does return, it wont be pain-free.  I want to be there as much as anybody and the trainers want me there as much as anybody, Lindor said after the Mets beat the Phillies on Sunday in Queens. Its just a matter of hitting that spot that theyre going to feel safe and theyre going to feel good. And then same  Kyle Harrison Jersey thing for me.  Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has been out with a back injury.  Robert Sabo for the NY Post  Luisangel Acua has impre sed at the plate and shortstop since Francisco Lindors injury.  Jason Szenes for the NY Post  Hes running out of time, which means the presence of Luisangel Acua is only becoming more important.  Even with Lindor having played just one inning since Sept. 13, the Mets enter the series against the Braves with a chance to clinch a wild card spot with a pair of wins, since doing so would give them the tiebreaker over Atlanta.  Acua, since on Sept. 14 in Philadelphia, , impre sing both at the plate and at short.  Explore More  It was hardly a given the 22-year-old would make such an immediate impact, especially considering his rough season at Triple-A Syracuse, where he had just a .654 OPS this year after an underwhelming performance at Double-A Binghamton following his midseason arrival in the trade that sent Max Scherzer to Texas.  Acuas manager this season in the minors, Dick Scott, watched all the ups and downs up close.  He was a 22-year-old at Triple-A, still learning the game, when the season started, Scott said. Guys pitched him tough and he had at-bats where he got carved up. But he kept his head up, kept working, showed up early and did what he needed to do.  Luisangel Acua makes a throw for the Mets during their game against the Nationals on Sept. 16.  Charles Wenzelberg  Acua has hit three homers in nine games with the Mets after going deep just seven times in 131 games with Syracuse this season.  Just as importantly, hes looked very comfortable at short, with soft hands and a strong arm, noted by several of his new teammates.  Acuas early production has made it easier for the Mets to be patient with Lindor, although their chances of getting to the playoffs and advancing if they get there would be boosted by the return of their healthy star, who was challenging Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani for NL MVP before the injury.  So instead of potentially rushing Lindor back, the Mets can watch Acua continue to grow.  Nobody would have gue sed hed get plugged in for Lindor and then have the team not mi s a beat with him playing shortstop, Scott said. Hes come in during a pre surized situation and just played.  The spotlight has been bright on Acua and will shine brighter in Atlanta, where his brother, Ronald Jr., was an MVP last year and in his left knee.  Delivering insights on all things Amazins  Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+  Thank you  By clicking above you agree to the and .  Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter!  There was a lot expected of him as a top prospect, with his brother being the reigning MVP, an All-Star with a famous name, Scott said. People want the same results for Luis and guys mature at different speeds. He got off to a slow start, but now hes just playing.  And its happening when he is needed most.  Hes just been so profe sional this whole time hes been up, Pete Alonso sa
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