**Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor declined to play for tomorrow’s game vs. Dodgers due to…**
It was the night before the big game, and the New York Mets were set to face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a high-stakes matchup. The fans were buzzing with excitement, especially since Francisco Lindor, the Mets’ star shortstop, was expected to lead the charge.
But as the team gathered for their final meeting, Lindor stood up, his face serious. “I need to talk to you guys,” he said, his voice unusually heavy. The room went silent as he continued, “I’m declining to play tomorrow.”
His teammates stared in shock. “What do you mean? This is huge for us,” Pete Alonso said, voicing what everyone was thinking.
Lindor sighed and looked down at his hands. “I got a call earlier today. My mom’s been rushed to the hospital back in Puerto Rico. She’s been sick for a while, and it’s gotten worse.”
The weight of his words settled over the room. No one knew what to say. Baseball was important, but family came first. Lindor had always been open about how much his family meant to him, especially his mother, who had supported him every step of the way.
“I want to be there for her,” Lindor continued. “She’s done so much for me. Tomorrow, my place is with her.”
The team didn’t need to hear more. They understood. One by one, they offered their support, telling him to take the time he needed. “Family comes first, always,” Alonso said, clapping Lindor on the shoulder.
Lindor nodded gratefully. “Thank you, guys. I’ll be back as soon as I can. But right now, I have to be with her.”
And so, as the Mets prepared for their battle with the Dodgers, their hearts were with Lindor, hoping that both their teammate and his mother would pull through.