Mets SS Francisco Lindor should be back before the end of the season

The New York Mets received reassuring news on Monday when an MRI scan of star shortstop Francisco Lindor's back showed no abnormalities.

Lindor told reporters that he “should be back” before the end of the season and that the “best-case scenario” would be a return during the Mets' series against the Washington Nationals, which runs Monday through Wednesday.

The Mets are in a neck-and-neck race with the Atlanta Braves for the last wild card spot in the National League. They entered the race on Monday with an 81-68 tie, but after a brilliant period in late August and early September, the Mets have slacked off with three losses in their last five games.

Lindor left Friday's game because of back pain and missed his first game of the season on Saturday. He tried to play on Sunday and hit a single to open the game, but his mobility was limited when he caught a grounder in the first inning.

Lindor asked to be substituted at the end of the inning. When the Mets took the field in the bottom of the second inning, Luisangel Acuna came on as shortstop.

The 30-year-old said he has been suffering from back pain for two weeks. He has a batting average of .271 with 31 home runs, 86 RBIs (a team best) and 27 steals in 148 games.